Sadie West Duke

Sadie Vernice West Duke, 95, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 26, 2026, in Hot Springs, AR. Born on January 8, 1931, in Sims, AR, Sadie was the third daughter of Hollis and Velma West. She was proceeded in death by her parents, both sisters and their spouses, Vina Elizabeth Yarbrough (Earnest) and Virginia Yarbrough (Jerl), one son Russell Eugene Duke (infant), two daughters Donna Donahue and Marie Smith, and granddaughter Alissa Hoffman.

Sadie is survived by her husband of 75 years, Darrell Eugene Duke, daughter Paula Duke of Hot Springs, AR, sons Troy Duke (Shannon) of Little Rock, AR and Tracy Duke (Jane) of Bentonville, AR. Grandchildren Alan Tackett (Rebecca) of Little Rock, AR, Jessie Houser (Adam) of Bauxite, AR, Meredith Duke of Little Rock, AR, and Jackson Duke, Hudson Duke, and Lawson Duke all of Bentonville, AR as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and great-grandchildren.

Sadie wore many hats during her storied life – wife, mother, grandmother, real estate broker, florist, antique dealer, Master Gardener, seamstress, and cook. But most of all, she loved to be “Mom” to her five children. She attended more sporting events, plays, and other special ceremonies than can be counted. She and Darrell traveled extensively across the continental US in their later years and always enjoyed sharing stories of their adventures.

Sadie was a proud graduate of Mt. Ida High School class of 1949 where she played basketball for the Lions. She was crowned Montgomery County Queen in 1947. Her athletic ability was rewarded after high school when in 1950 she signed a contract, along with best friend Ina Verne Warneke, to play professional baseball for the Rock Ola Professional Girls Baseball Team in Chicago. This was a farm team to what is known as the All- American Women’s Baseball League, which was memorialized in the movie “A League of Their Own.” Sadie also loved a good hand of bridge and played with her friends as often as she could.

Visitation is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. with a “Celebration of Life” ceremony at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 18th, at Piney Grove Methodist Church in Hot Springs, AR. Funeral services provided by Thorton Funeral Home of Mt. Ida, Arkansas.