Wilma Violet Duckworth

Wilma Violet Hess Duckworth was born November 10, 1917 in Fredonia, Kansas & went to be with the Lord January 3, 2011. Her parents were Grace Fern Eflin & Erie Joe Hess, owners of The City Shoe Shop in Fredonia. Wilma graduated from Fredonia High School in 1935, & then graduated from Fredonia Business College in 1936. Following graduation, she was employed by Mr. WH Edmundson as a legal secretary. She then was employed by the Union Gas Company as a bookkeeper. Wilma married Charles Duckworth on August 2, 1939. They were co-owners of Duckworth Motor Company Oldsmobile & Chevrolet agency with Charles"s brother Lewis Duckworth of Fredonia. Wilma was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Fredonia for over 75 years. She was Past President of the United Methodist Women. She was a Life Member & Past Worthy Matron of Eastern Star (Mistletoe Chapter #35). She was past president of Woman"s Mutual Benefit Club, joining in 1954. Wilma was a Brownie & Girl Scout Leader. She was also a Gray Lady for the Red Cross for 5 years. Wilma played the violin in the Fredonia Community Orchestra & the Fredonia Community String Ensemble. She was preceded in death by her parents Grace & Erie Hess, & husband Charles Duckworth. Following his death, Wilma assisted at the Timmons Funeral Home for 9 years. Wilma was a member of many community groups. She was also an avid reader, bridge player & a very loyal KU basketball fan. She was well known for her needlework as well as personal notes to family & friends. Wilma sold her home in Fredonia in September 2006. She then moved to Villa Ventura, a Sr. living facility in Kansas City, Missouri. She leaves a daughter Sherryl Thorne of Kansas City, Missouri, grandson Stan Thorne (wife Deborah & granddaughters McKenna & Kendall) of Overland Park, Kansas & grandson Chad Thorne (wife Nicci & grandchildren Madeline, Abigail, & James) from Bountiful, Utah. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, January 14, 2011 at Villa Ventura 12100 Wornall K.C., Mo. Visitation at 3:30pm, Service 4:00pm, & light snack 5:00pm. On Saturday January 15, 2011 there will be a chapel service at Timmons Funeral Home 510 N. 7th St. Fredonia, Ks. 66736 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, Wilma requested contributions to The First United Methodist Church for the restoration of their beautiful stain glass windows (which she dearly loved). Donations can be sent to the church or the funeral home. She left deep footprints on our hearts & will be greatly missed, but never ever forgotten. Words of condolence can be left for the family on this website. Timmons Funeral Home in Fredonia, PO Box 168, Fredonia, Ks, 66736 is in charge of the arrangements.