Joan Payton Ducksworth

Mrs. Joan P. Ducksworth, age 85, entered into the presence of the Lord on June 13th, 2025 in Joliet, Illinois. She was born on July 24th, 1939 in Eudora, Arkansas (Chicot County), to parents Hollis Payton, Sr. and Rosie Lee Payton.
She lived a life guided by her faith in God. Our mother was known for her kindness, generosity, care, and concern for family, friends, and anyone else in need of care, love and support. With a big heart, our mother loved her family and friends dearly.
She had numerous interests. She particularly enjoyed reading, exploring nature, gardening (especially with flowers like roses and tulips), continuous learning, creating art, cooking, sewing, and listening to music.
She was a lifelong learner. Our mother pursued education and learning with dedication and passion. She attended East Side High School in Eudora, Arkansas and graduated Valedictorian of her class of 1957. After graduating from high school, she attended Piney Woods School in Piney Woods, Mississippi where she excelled in her studies, which included participating in music choir. She worked at the Piney Woods School Post Office to pay for her education and to send money home to help her family. During her time at Piney Woods School, she met and married, former spouse, the late Mr. Lee Edward Ducksworth, Sr. with whom her family was created.
After graduating from Piney Woods Junior College, she moved to Joliet, Illinois. In 1986, she moved back to Eudora, Arkansas. While in Eudora, she enjoyed daily walks along the country roads and regular participation in events at the Delta Counseling Center in Lake Village, Arkansas. In 2018, she moved to Little Elm, Texas where she enjoyed a year with her sister, Rosie Mary and family. In 2019, she moved back to Joliet, Illinois to be with her daughters and grandson.
She will be dearly missed by her family and friends: her surviving children, Janice (the late Alix P. Salomon) Ducksworth, Joy (Doug) Ducksworth, and Lesa Ducksworth; her grandson, Alix C. Salomon; her siblings, Minnie James, Rosie Mary Wolfe, Charles Wolfe, Clyde Wolfe, Frankie Franklin, Gail Sanders, and Selma Field; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Hollis Payton, Sr. and Rosie Lee Payton; her son, Lee Edward Ducksworth, Jr.; and her siblings, Mildred Myrick, Clemensteen Black, Hollis Payton, Jr., and Christine Deloach.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the following organizations of choice: Delta Counseling Center, Lake Village, AR., Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease (Northwestern Memorial Hospital), locally in Joliet, IL, the Morning Star Mission, DAV - Disabled Veterans of America, NAMI - the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the American Diabetes Association, or the American Heart Association.
Visitation for Mrs. Joan P. Ducksworth will be Friday, July 11, 2025, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road, Joliet, from 10:00 a.m. until the Celebration of Life Service at 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Joliet.
The family has requested to live stream the services of their loved one on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. Please click on this link (https://youtube.com/live/sRes7TBYftY?feature=share) and follow the instructions to show your support for them at a time when you cannot be physically present, but your thoughts, prayers and connection are.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500, or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com.