Dorothy Kopp Duvall, 87, passed away on Monday, November 17th in Conway, Arkansas. She was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin on July 26, 1927; the oldest of five children of Isabelle Emma Gray and Byron Palmer Kopp of Centerville, Wisconsin. Dorothy graduated from Galesville High School in 1945. In 1949 she married Howard Robert Bell, father of her two children: Noel Howard Bell and Rebecca Bell Ellis. In 1982 she married William Gerald Duvall (deceased 2010) and they lived in Memphis, Tennessee then Mayflower, Arkansas following retirement from the Memphis city schools. In 2013 Dorothy moved to College Square, Conway, Arkansas.
Dorothy graduated from University of Wisconsin, Stout (1949) with a Bachelor of Science and from Memphis State University (1982) with a Masters of Education. Dorothy had a successful career as a teacher of home economics (New Salem WI, Trempealeau WI, Crystal Lake IL,) kindergarten (Rutland IL), and high school special education (Roanoke IL, Memphis TN.) She was also a business woman; owner and manager of The Country Florist in Minonk, Illinois from 1972 to 1977.
Her hobbies enriched her life with friendships and experiences including gardening, flower arranging, sewing, playing bridge, bible study, attending musical and theatrical events, and volunteering. She was a recognized leader in many organizations throughout her life, including; 4-H, Future Homemakers of America, American Association of University Women, and Conway Newcomers.
She is survived by her sister and brother in-law, Kathy and Wayne Auer of Crescent City, Florida, her brother and sister-in-law, Richard "Dick" and Louise Kopp of Centerville, Wisconsin; her daughter and son in law, Rebecca and Gary Ellis of Parker, Colorado; her son Noel Bell, PhD of Austin, Texas and her grandchildren Aurora Bell of New York City and August Bell of Austin, Texas. Dorothy will be remembered as courageous yet gentle and a selfless, loving sister, wife, mom, grandmother and friend.
She embraced her extended family including; step-sons, William Duvall, Jr. Mike Duvall (deceased) and Jon Duvall; step-granddaughters Jessica, Kristen and her daughter Hope; JenSee Moorman, a UCA international student when they met, now wife of Carrey Moorman and mother of Isaac and Sebastian of Melbourne, Florida; and Mary Ann Posadas, a Mayflower neighbor when they met, and wife of Juan Posadas and mother of Anthony and Crystal.
For family and friends, a memorial service will be held on Saturday, Deecember 6th, 2014 at 4pm CT at St Peter's Episcopal Church, 925 Mitchell St. Conway, Arkansas 72034. In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred for St. Peter's (Episcopal) Food Pantry