Gertie Norman Duckworth

Gertie Norman Duckworth, 91, of Hardy Duckworth Rd., Morganton, died after a brief illness, Sunday, June 25, 2006 at Grace Heights. Mrs. Duckworth was born in Burke Co., July 1, 1914 to the late Tommy and Isabelle McDaniel Norman. She worked for 25 years as a seamstress at the North Carolina School for the Deaf, and was an avid gardener. She was an active and faithful member of Missionary Ridge Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Hardy Duckworth; brothers, Charlie, Frank, William, and Mack Norman; and a sister, Lucy Dale.

Mrs. Duckworth is survived by a son, Leonard Duckworth and wife, Frances of Morganton; daughters, Katherine and husband, Rev. Jesse Head, Anne Wright, Barbara and husband, Vernon Roberts, and Mary and husband, Ned Garrison all of Morganton; grandchildren, Bruce Hamrick and wife, Maretta, Joe Hamrick and wife, Debbie, Jeff Hamrick and wife, Kay, Alan Wright and wife, Annette, Austin Wright and wife, Stephanie, Tammy Preusse and husband, Phil, Greg Duckworth and wife, Missy, Eric Duckworth and wife, Lamina, Jill Goforth and husband, Ron, and Ryan Garrison and wife, Emily; 16 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; 7 step grandchildren; 14 step great grandchildren; 3 step great great grandchildren; a brother, James Norman of Morganton; and sisters, Pearlie Mae Copeland and Rudell Burgin both of Morganton.

The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at Missionary Ridge Baptist Church with the Rev. Donald Lovelace officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. prior to the service in the church’s Life Enrichment Center. Memorial contributions may be made to Missionary Ridge Baptist Church, 5612 John Watts Rd., Morganton, NC 28655.