Nella Beasley Duckworth

Services for Mrs. Nella Duckworth were held Saturday, April 28, 2018, at Pearl Valley Baptist Church in Wesson. Mrs. Duckworth, 88, of Pearl Valley, died April 24, 2018, following a long illness at Hospice Ministries. Stringer Family Funeral Services of Crystal Springs handled arrangements.
Rev. David Langston officiated. Mrs. Duckworth was laid to rest at Lowe Cemetery in Copiah County. Pallbearers were Dennis Sharp, Don Hart, Jeremy Hart, Josh Hart, C.J. Duckworth and Taylor Byrd.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Hoye Frank Duckworth, of 44 years and her poodle, GiGi.
She is survived by her children, Susan Hart (Don) of Wesson, Jay Duckworth (Tamara) of Pelahatchie, Gay Sharp (Dennis) of Brandon and Abby McNeil of Wesson. Grandchildren include Jeremy and Josh Hart, Lindsey Duckworth Byrd (Taylor), Alex McNeil, C.J. Duckworth (Candace), Taylor Sharp, Carlee and Samantha Goode and Ben McCarroll. Great-grandchildren are Liam and Landon Byrd.
In 1949, Mrs. Duckworth met and married her husband. Mr. Duckworth was retired Air Force and a veteran of WWII. While her husband served in the military, Mrs. Duckworth had the opportunity to travel around the world from Biloxi to Germany to Africa to Alabama and back to Mississippi. Mrs. Duckworth won the title of Mrs. Mississippi in 1954 and traveled to Asbury Park, New Jersey, to compete in the Mrs. American pageant. She also visited Israel, the holy land, fulfilling one of her lifelong dreams.
Mrs. Duckworth is a native of Pearl Valley and was a retired telephone operator with a long career at South Central Bell. She was a Sunday School teacher and sang in choir at Pearl Valley Baptist Church for 40 plus years.
Mrs. Duckworth’s favorite hobbies were gardening, QVC surfing, shopping, writing poems and playing dominoes with family and friends. She loved to cook and share God’s love and mercy. Her life was a testimony to all the people who came in contact with her.
She had a special bond with her grandchildren. “Gran Gran” or “Grundy” not only showed unconditional love but shared stories she wrote, loved heart-to-heart talks and provided Godly advice and guidance.