Flora Duncan Cole

She was a native of Parks, Arkansas, and was raised in McLean, Texas. She enjoyed growing up on a farm in the Texas Panhandle. Flora, her husband Bill, and infant daughter Judy Kay moved to Maplewood in 1944. She retired in 1985 from Kansas City Southern Railway after 30 years of service. She was a member of Maplewood First Baptist Church for 66 years, where she was involved in church and Sunday School.

In addition to being a loving wife, mother, and grandmother ("Mama Flo"), she was an accomplished Arthur Murray ballroom dancer. Through the years, Flora won many awards at Arthur Murray showcases.

Survivors include two daughters, Judy Kay Jensen and husband, Larry, of Orange, Texas, and Alice Fay Smith of Sulphur; one sister, Edna Dale Collie of Dumus, Texas; one brother, B.W. Duncan of Tatum, New Mexico; six grandchildren, Melissa Ricker and husband, Raef, Tasha Fontenot and husband, Brant, Alicia Kight and husband, Jim, Michelle Pricer and husband, Tensey, Jennifer Slaton and husband, J.B., and Michael W. Smith and wife, Heather; and eleven great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, William Delbert "Bill" Cole; her parents, Ernest T. and Lula Gilbreath Duncan; five sisters, Fern Cable, Freeda Little, Edith Mae Ferrell, Peggy Estes, and Bonnie Jo Stewart; and one brother, Roland Childs Duncan.

Her funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 21, in Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral home. Dr. Ronnie Burke and Rev. Charley Watson will officiate. Pallbearers will be Michael W. Smith, Raef Ricker, Hunter Ricker, Brant Fontenot, Tensey Pricer, and J.B. Slaton. Honorary pallbearers will be Brayden Graham, Brock Slaton, Becket Pricer, Ryan Fontenot, and Matthew Fontenot. Burial will be in Mimosa Pines Cemetery South in Carlyss. Visitation is from 5-9 p.m. Wednesday and 8:30 a.m. until the time of service Thursday in the funeral home.