Helen Louise Jackson McDuffee

Helen Louise Jackson McDuffee went to be with the Lord on August 4, 2009.Helen is survived by her sister, Erma Jackson Faulkner Hudson; two stepchildren, Jane Mills and Bobby McDuffee as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren.Her husband of 36 years Luke Ernest McDuffee; her mother, Ruth Loux Jackson and father, Thomas Edward Jackson, predeceased Helen.Helen was born on March 3, 1930 in rural Cabot, Arkansas where she grew up. She attended Bayou Meto grade school and later graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1948. During those years she was an avid basketball player and a starter for teams at both schools.Helen moved to Houston, Texas in 1954, where she was employed by the telephone company as a customer service representative. She was later transferred to Little Rock, Arkansas where she lived until her retirement after 28 years of service.Helen married Luke in 1969, and upon their retirement moved to a beautiful farm on 'McDuffee Mountain' in Cave City, Arkansas. Together Helen and Luke served a number of churches in the area and were well known, and much loved, within the community.Helen moved to Ruston, Lousiana in January of 2007 following Luke's death. There she joined Temple Baptist Church and immediately found a place of service and endeared herself to all she met.Helen will be remembered for her years of service in the music ministry of the many churches she attended, her great sense of humor, warm loving demeanor and her beautiful hats.Funeral services will be held at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Cabot, Arkansas on Friday, August 7, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Gary Wallace will preside with Rev. William Wayne Armstrong assisting. Burial will follow in the Sumner Cemetery located at Cabot with arrangements by Qualls Funeral Home of Cave City.Visitation will begin Friday, August 7, 2009 from 12:00 p.m. until service time at the church. Pallbearers include: Ricky Bridges, Wayne Rogers, Rickey Harrell, James Thissen, Bobby Taylor, Lynn Carmichael, Bill Woody and Jerry Rogers.A memorial service at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, Lousiana is planned for a later date.The family extends its gratitude to Hospice of Caring Hearts, Carrol Home Health, Della Huey and Jennifer Bridges.