Funeral services for Rosalyn “Rosie” Howell McDuffie, 95, of West Monroe, will be held on Saturday, December 28, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at Kilpatrick Funeral Home, West Monroe, with Pastor Michael Stravato officiating.  Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Calhoun, under the care and direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes, West Monroe.  Visitation will be held at 9:30 A.M. until time of service.

Rosalyn was born February 11, 1929 in Cleveland, Mississippi and passed away December 21, 2024 in West Monroe, Louisiana.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. John James Howell and Rosa Lee Beauchamp Howell.  She was the youngest of 11 children, all of whom predecease her.

Rosalyn met Dean B. McDuffie Sr. while they were attending Arkansas A & M in Monticello, Arkansas and they began dating after she asked Dean to a Sadie Hawkins Dance.  “Rosie” as Dean affectionally called her, married on August 19, 1950 and celebrated 65 years of marriage before his passing on September 10, 2015.

Rosie is survived by her children, Lynn Oakes (Keith), Blythe McDuffie (Kathy), Vivian McDuffie, Holly White (David); grandchildren, Anthony Ramsey, Erica Davis (Brett), Sam McDuffie, Barnett McDuffie (Joanna), Keaton Ward, Connor Ward, James Hebert, April Hebert (Dan Franklin) and Jared White (Tori); great-grandchildren, Savannah Ramsey, Chord Ramsey (Brianna), Dylan Ramsey, Sophia Ramsey, Vivian Rose Boone (John Bryant), Jackson Lewis, Lily Davis, Evan Davis, Ethan Hebert, Ella Kate Franklin; and great-great-granddaughter, Aurora Bryant.

As a teenager, Rosalyn dedicated her life to Jesus Christ and taught Sunday school for many years.  She was a public school teacher and substitute teacher for over 15 years.

Rosie is predeceased by all her siblings and their spouses: Rev. Willie Frank Howell (Doris), Vivian Howell Miles (Barnett) who adopted Rosalyn as an adult and who were affectionally known as Mamaw and Daddy Barnett, Elizabeth Howell Henderson (W.D.), John Bernard Howell (Mary Lynn), Mary Myrtle Howell Peacock (Clifton), Clyde Howell Orr (Edward), Charles “Sonny” Howell (Imozell) and 2 siblings who died in childhood.  She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Rosie wrote most of her obituary and in it stated: “We loved to travel especially camping.  Started in a tent, then to a trailer and finally a motorhome. Our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were our greatest joy” (including her 5^th generation great-great-granddaughter).

Pallbearers will be Blythe McDuffie, Barnett McDuffie, Anthony Ramsey, Chord Ramsey, Jared White, and Dan Franklin.

Honorary pallbearers will be JB McDuffie, David White, Keith Oakes, Keaton Ward, Connor Ward, James Hebert, Sam McDuffie, Dylan Ramsey, and Brett Davis.

Rosie loved Christmas so the family asks that everyone wear their Christmas attire.

Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.

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