Iva Lee (Symes) Duckworth

Iva Lee (Symes) Duckworth, 98, of Mulberry Grove went to heaven surrounded by her daughters on Thursday, February 10, at Carle Clinic in Champaign, Illinois.

Born November 3, 1923 in Wright City, Missouri to Louis and Emma Symes, Iva married Marion (“Goose”) Duckworth on August 28, 1943 in St. Louis, MO. 

Goose Duckworth -- her husband of 44 years, parents, Louis and Emma Symes, and daughter Phyliss Duckworth preceded her in death. Her daughter Ann met her in heaven, having passed just a few hours earlier. Surviving are her daughters, Jo Layne (Robert) Woodward of Troy, IL, Vicky (Dale) Huber of Hillsboro, IL and Brenda (Layne) Mayfield of Vandalia, IL. Also surviving are her granddaughter, Jamie (Derek) Ward of Cottleville, MO and her grandsons, Robert (Lisa) Woodward of Edwardsville, IL, and Marion Mayfield of Champaign, IL, as well as her beloved great-grandsons Robert (“Bo”) Woodward, Taggart and Kip Ward.

Iva graduated in 1941 from Wright City High School, where she played women’s basketball and ran track. Upon graduation, she went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Ferguson, MO, where she met Goose. Shortly after their wedding, Goose was drafted and Iva enlisted in the US Navy, where she served as a Seaman First Class from September 1944 to October 1945. Stationed in New York City, she served as a switchboard and elevator operator and did general clerical work. After World War II, Iva and Goose moved from St. Charles, MO to Mulberry Grove, IL, where she became a stay-at-home mother to her four daughters, teaching them to cook, can, and sew, all while making the girls’ clothes and taking care of the house. She went back to work once the girls were older, spending her time at Illinois Bell, Johnson’s Market and finally Crane’s Packing from 1971 to 1985. 

After retirement, Iva was an active member of the Pleasant Mount Area Women’s Quilting Circle for many years. Her family has many beautiful quilts and crocheted afghans to remember her by as her work was impeccable. She was a devoted member of the United Methodist Church in Pleasant Mount, IL, where she served as a Sunday school teacher for many years. She was the treasurer for the United Methodist Women.

Iva enjoyed watching all her grandchildren’s activities, including football, baseball, basketball, plays, and cheerleading events. Her eyes would light up when her great-grandchildren were around, and they all loved spending time with their “Gi Gi”. As a WWII veteran, she attended an Honor Flight to Washington, DC with her granddaughter, Jamie, and daughter, Ann, serving as her guardians. Thanks to tremendous help from Ann, she was able to live alone on the Duckworth Family Farm in rural Mulberry Grove until her death. Iva always loved her Sunday afternoon rides to Dairy Queen and completing as many challenging puzzles as possible. 

Iva will be missed but her family is thankful for her long, wonderful, life filled with so many memories of their loving mom, grandma, and great grandma. 

Services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, February 17, 2022 at the Bethel Baptist Church, Vandalia, IL with Dr. Ben Foxworth officiating. Burial will immediately follow the Funeral at Taylor Cemetery, Vandalia, IL with Military Rites by Mulberry Grove American Legion Post #1180. Visitation is from 9 - 11 AM on Thursday February 17, 2022 at Bethel Baptist Church, Vandalia, IL;  The family requests donations be made to the Taylor Cemetery Maintenance Fund in lieu of flowers or memorials. Miller Funeral Home, Vandalia, IL, is in charge of arrangements. Online memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.millerfh.net.

Streaming information is available by contacting the Bethel Baptist Church – Vandalia, Illinois · 618-346-7451 bethelvandalia.org

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