Fufil Elois Howard Duckworth of Hayti, Missouri, passed away on March 20, 2026, in Kennett, Missouri, at the age of 99 years, 5 months, and 20 days, the first day of Spring. "Lossie" was born September 21, 1926, in San Diego, California, to Bee Bryan and Fufil Carter Howard. She was a Miss San Diego Beauty Pageant participant and loved to dance, especially performing the "Charleston" on a moment's notice to a select audience.

After Elois graduated from high school in Norman, Arkansas, she was placed on a train to attend the Baptist School of Nursing in Memphis, Tennessee. She was a member of the U.S. Cadet Nursing Corps during WWII. After completing nursing school, Elois met and married Gordon L. Duckworth, Jr., who had just graduated from the University of Tennessee Medical School in Memphis. Rumor has it their honeymoon was spent at The Ditty-Wah-Ditty Tourist Court just outside Memphis near the Mississippi line. They both had to be at work the next day.

In pursuit of their respective careers, they moved to Wynne, Arkansas, and subsequently relocated to Hayti, Missouri, in 1955. Elois and Gordon went on to have seven children: Gordon Lee Duckworth, III (Debora) of Little Rock, Arkansas, Nathan Bedford Forrest Duckworth (deceased), Patrick Ronayne Cleburne Duckworth of Mountain View, Arkansas, John Kelly Duckworth (Samara) of Piggott, Arkansas, J.E.B. Stuart Duckworth (Sheila) of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Raphael Semmes Duckworth (Christiann) of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Lu Anne Carter Duckworth Clark of Hayti, Missouri.

Upon retiring as a school nurse in the Hayti School System, Elois spent her time working jigsaw puzzles and perfecting her cooking skills, gleaned from feeding six growing boys; little sister was easy to please and ate like a bird. Other than holidays, a favorite repast was Saturday night barbeque from Sugg's, o the Hayti Square and adjacent to the Big Apple Café. Portions consisted of dry slaw with a splash of red wine vinegar, baked beans, and French fries with lots of onion salt. She was a voracious reader of books.

Elois was predeceased by her husband in 1987, her brother Bryan Gale Howard, and her sister Joan Adeline Persinger Witzman Graul. She is survived by three grandchildren, Lauren Lee Duckworth Hamilton (Hunter) of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Stuart Kelly Duckworth (Alison) of Piggott, Arkansas, and Ashley Victoria Duckworth Schmid (Lucas) of Tucson, Arizona. In addition to many nieces and nephews in Arizona and Vermont, she leaves eleven great-grandchildren.

The family would like to acknowledge the personal attention rendered by Glenda Holmes and Natalie Tillman. You are loved.

Elois was undoubtedly the best friend, neighbor, counselor, and mother anyone could imagine. She was the glue.

A private graveside service will be held at a future date. Please make donations to the Conran Memorial Library, 302 E Main St, Hayti, MO 63851.