Emmett Duff

Emmett E. Duff, 94, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, July 6, 2006, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

He was born July 16, 1911, in Turley, Mo., son of Thomas H. and Wenona Long Duff. He and Gladys Elmore were married Oct. 20, 1936, in Lebanon, Mo. She died May 23, 1996.

Duff was a member of Lynwood Baptist Church where he was a deacon and Sunday school teacher. He taught 17 years in the public school system in Texas County and six years in St. Francois County. He was a professor in the education department at Southeast Missouri State University 19 years, retiring in 1976.

He moved to Cape Girardeau in 1957 from Elvins, Mo. He was a life member of Plato Masonic Lodge AF&AM, Eastern Star and was a Shriner.

He obtained a bachelor of science degree and a master's degree in education from Missouri State University, and completed coursework for an educational doctorate from George Peabody College (Vanderbilt University).

Survivors include two daughters, Nona Nan Chapman of Cape Girardeau, Dixie Leah Berryman of Jackson, Tenn.; two sons, Ronald Duff of Cape Girardeau, Trent Duff of Warrenton, Mo.; a sister, Jewel Spears of Grandview, Mo.; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother and a sister.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home Monday from 4 to 7 p.m.

Graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum, with Gene Brunkhorst officiating.