The soul of Mrs. Mary Alice Duke, affectionately known to legions of friends in Panola County as Miss Mamie, now rests with The Great Teacher.
Coming to this section a number of years ago, Miss Mamie was the typical pioneer teacher -- one who truly represented the views of the author Thompson, who wrote: "Delightfuly task! to rear the tender thought, to teach the young how to learn, to pour the fresh instruction over the mind, to breath the enlivening spirit, and to fix the generous purpose in the glowing breast."
Mrs. Mary Alice Duke was born March 19, 1874 in Marysville, Kansas and in 1901 she was united in marriage to T. J. Frazer, who passed away in 1906. Two children, Mrs. F. W. Shotwell, Pampa, Texas and Mrs. John Lewis Bunyard, this city, both surviving, blessed this marriage. On December 31, 1911, Miss Mamie was married to C.B. Duke, Sr and to this happy union one child, a son, C. B. Duke, Jr., survives.
Mrs. Duke came to Texas in 1891, and was instrumental in assisting her brother, Prof. L. C. Libby in establishing the Panola County Male and Female College. She contributed thirty years of her life in primary teaching in this institution.
Besides the immediate family, Mrs. Duke is survived by four brothers, L. C. of Dallas, H. M. and H. L. of Marysville, Kansas and Roy Libby of Kansas City, Missouri; four sisters, Mrs. O. M. Belknap, Marysville, Kansas; Mrs. Edith Dalkers, Kansas City; Mr.s J. S. Davis, Kansas City, Kansas; and Mrs. Jim F. Bailey, this city; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
The Watchman editor and his wife and family wish to personally send a sincere message of sympathy to the surviving members of this beloved woman's family. It was our happy priviledge to have lived as neighbors to Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Duke, Sr. when we first married. Miss Mamie was always a faithful and grand confidant; and she consistently maintained a motherly interest in the welfare of our home. Miss Mamie and C. B. Sr were our loyal friends and we feel a deep personal loss in her passing.
Mrs. Duke was a talented and highly educated woman; she was accomplished and understanding. She was a grand wife and mother and always a true Christian and friend of all. This community is going to miss the happy smile, and the far-flanged influence of Miss Mamie.
(The Panola Watchman, 9 January 1947)