Eileen Douglas

Martha Eileen Duffy Douglas, age 94, passed away on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at her home in Lamar, MO surrounded by her family caregivers.      Eileen was born May 14, 1918 in Pennsboro, MO, the only child of Daniel Waldo and Floy Margaret (McLerran) Duffy.  She was born the morning her soldier father sailed from New York Harbor for France during WWI.  She was a year old when her father returned to the US.      At the age of 14, Eileen became a member of the South Greenfield M.E. Church.  She graduated from Greenfield High School in 1935.  In 1939, she graduated from Springfield Teachers College with a  BS degree in Art and Home Economics.  Eileen taught five years in the South Greenfield Public Schools.     On June 13, 1944 she married Robert "Bob" E. Douglas.  They moved to Spartanburg, SC where Bob was a soldier at Camp Craft.  After Bob's time in the Army, they returned to live in Lamar.    A daughter, Suzanne, was born in 1948.  After Suzanne began school, Eileen did substitute teaching for 20 years in the Lamar Schools.    Eileen served as a Girl Scout leader, art director at the United Methodist Church during Bible Schools, and was an active member of several social clubs; Fourth Generation Literary Club, DAR, United Methodist Women, Esther Circle, Barton County Historical Society, Fidelis Sunday School Class, Sew & So Club, 20th Century Club, Athenaeum, and Beta Sigma Phi.    Survivors include her daughter, Suzanne Dennison of Jefferson City, MO; her grandson Bart Douglas Phipps of Sheldon, MO; two great grandchildren, Dakota Wayne of Ft. Benning, GA and Bridget Eileen of Sarcoxie, MO, nieces, nephews, and cousins.     She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and son-in-law William Reed Dennison.     Celebration of Life Service will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at Daniel Funeral Home.      Memorial Contributions are suggested to Lamar United Methodist Church or Hospice Compassus in care of the funeral home.