Vivian Benfield Duckworth

Vivian Benfield Duckworth, 83, of Morganton, NC, died Thursday, April 27, 2006 at her residence following several years of declining health. Born February 26, 1923 in Burke County, NC, she was the daughter of the late John Manley Benfield and Fannie Mincey Benfield. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Luther Duckworth; a grandson, Greg Arrowood; and four brothers, Paul, Ray, Ralph, and Melvin Benfield. Mrs. Duckworth was a member of Catawba Valley Baptist Church and a former member of First Baptist Church of Glen Alpine, NC. She was a retired employee of Huffman Hosiery Mill and then worked part time at Highlander Ltd. She then worked for 10 years in the fabrics and crafts department of Wal-Mart.

Vivian is survived by her daughter, Nancy Arrowood and husband, Bobby; a grandson, Brad Arrowood and wife, Christy; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob Benfield and wife, Millie, Ned Benfield and wife, Flossie, John "Bud" Benfield and wife, Letha, and Thomas "Bus" Benfield; sisters, Doris Franklin and Fannie Mae Whisnant, all of Morganton and special care assistant, Rudell Burgin of Morganton.

The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, April 30, 2006 at Catawba Valley Baptist Church with Reverends Clyde Buckner, Dr. Rocky Branch, Jim Taber, and Dr. Mike Odom officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes prior to the funeral hour. Memorial contributions may be made to Catawba Valley Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1580, Morganton, NC 28680 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.