I received a telephone from my eldest niece, Marsha McDuff Flurry, Wednesday morning informing me that my sister, Mary Evelyn Morgan McDuff, widow of the late R. H. McDuff, of Birmingham, Alabama is not expected to live. Something apparently happened Tuesday night as she was asleep. We do not know if she had a heart attack or a stroke. She is 86, and has been in declining health for several years.
Mary Evelyn and I grew up in a bi-vocational evangelist/church planted/pastor's home. We are Pentecostal Holiness. Our mother, Julia Payne Morgan, was a missionary to Hong Kong and Pakhoi, China, under the leadership of W. H. Turner--1920-1929.
It is my opinion that Mary Evelyn got the beauty and the brains. She made all A's and was a member of the National Honor Society. She played piano, sang solos, and was gifted in teaching and writing.
She was married to R. H. McDuff on August 8, 1947 at the First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Birmingham when it was in Norwood in a former Methodist Church. The Rev. Mr. O. N, Todd, Sr. performed their wedding. Her husband, R. H. McDuff was the 13th child in the Fred McDuff family. Fred McDuff was a member of the Pentecostal Holiness Church and served as the Chief of Police in Birmingham, as well Sheriff of Jefferson County. He was known for his sterling character, and never took a bride or did any thing dishonest. That character trait was in his youngest son, R. H. He was known for his honesty. He was a strict tither as well as a generous giver of his financial resources. R. H. became the brother I never had.
I would like for you to remember my beloved sister when you pray. Call Mary Evelyn's name in prayer. Pray, too, for her adult children--Charles, David, Marsha, and Rebecca. Their son Stephen died a few years ago.
Mary Evelyn and I grew up in a bi-vocational evangelist/church planted/pastor's home. We are Pentecostal Holiness. Our mother, Julia Payne Morgan, was a missionary to Hong Kong and Pakhoi, China, under the leadership of W. H. Turner--1920-1929.
It is my opinion that Mary Evelyn got the beauty and the brains. She made all A's and was a member of the National Honor Society. She played piano, sang solos, and was gifted in teaching and writing.
She was married to R. H. McDuff on August 8, 1947 at the First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Birmingham when it was in Norwood in a former Methodist Church. The Rev. Mr. O. N, Todd, Sr. performed their wedding. Her husband, R. H. McDuff was the 13th child in the Fred McDuff family. Fred McDuff was a member of the Pentecostal Holiness Church and served as the Chief of Police in Birmingham, as well Sheriff of Jefferson County. He was known for his sterling character, and never took a bride or did any thing dishonest. That character trait was in his youngest son, R. H. He was known for his honesty. He was a strict tither as well as a generous giver of his financial resources. R. H. became the brother I never had.
I would like for you to remember my beloved sister when you pray. Call Mary Evelyn's name in prayer. Pray, too, for her adult children--Charles, David, Marsha, and Rebecca. Their son Stephen died a few years ago.