Howard Ivey Duckworth Sr.

Howard Ivey Duckworth Sr. "Duck", 85, of Hickory, passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at his residence after a period of declining health. Howard was born on February 12, 1929 in Burke County to the late William Dewey and Savannah Rose Branch Duckworth. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church Hildebran, where he enjoyed serving as Head Usher and greeting people at the door with a smile and a good laugh. Howard spent his career as a truck driver for Southern Desk and Drexel Heritage for 43 years. Duck was also a member of the Icard Township Fire Department for 27 years, where he served as Assistant Chief. In his later years, Howard enjoyed spending time with his family, eating meals at Hardees and Granny's Kitchen with his closest friends, decorating his house with as many Christmas lights as possible and sitting on the front porch counting and waving at the cars passing by. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Frank, Bob, Max, and Millard Duckworth and one sister, Ruby Harwell. Howard is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Vera Carswell Duckworth of the home, a son, Howard Ivey Duckworth Jr."Butch" and wife Joy of Hickory, a daughter, Karen Duckworth Clark and husband Bryson of Hickory, five grandchildren, Jessica Duckworth Horne, William Duckworth, Kari Beth Duckworth, Brooke Clark Ward and Nicholas Clark; and great-grandchildren, Laiton and Branson Duckworth, Jon Ayden and Adam Horne. Also surviving are three brothers, Joe, Jay Harold and Paul Duckworth, one sister, Gladys Harwell, dear neighbor and sister-in-law, Marylou Abee and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. at First Baptist Church Hildebran with Rev. Ronald Arndt officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday, from 5:30 until 7:30 P.M. at Heritage Funeral Service in Valdese. Memorials may be sent to the First Baptist Church Hildebran, Building Fund for the CLC, P.O. Box 220, Hildebran, NC 28637. An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com Heritage Funeral Service & Crematory of Valdese is serving the Duckworth family.