Palestine High School Alumni Association

03 / 01 / 1900  –  09 / 12 / 1983

Graveside services for Mrs. Oscar (Hasell) Duff, 83 of Palestine will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in New Addition Cemetery with Rev. Bill Leediker officiating.  Arrangements are by Bailey Funeral Home.

Mrs. Duff died Monday at their home.  She was born March 1, 1900, daughter of Rufus McMillan Dunn and Miriam Frazee Dunn.  Her father was an early physician and surgeon and came to Palestine in 1894 after completing medical studies at the University of South Carolina at Charleston.

Mrs. Duff was active in church and civic activities.  She served as the head of the Methodist Ladies Missionary Society, was past regent of the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution and devoted much time to Boy Scout and Cub Scout work.   After graduating from Palestine High School in 1918, she attended Cincinnati Conservatory.  She was a student in piano, violin, art and dress designing.  Mrs. Duff was also a member of the State Historical Society.

She was active with her husband, Oscar Duff, in the Texas Association of Life Underwriters, and was also an active member of the Rotary Anns.  Mrs. Duff was recognized for her artwork, especially originals of local flowers, dogwoods in particular, in her designing of Chana painting. A charter member of Harvey Woman’s Club, she was also interested in fishing, hunting and trap shooting.  She was predeceased by a brother, Russell Dunn.

Survivors inclue her husband of Palestine; sons, Randolph Duff of Temple and Robert Duff of Hamilton; three grandchildren and a great-grandson.

Pallbearers will be Lamar Hamilton, Jim Bob Paxton, Wayne Lawrence, Vern Gordon, Dr. Fred Felder, Dr. Harvey Bell, Thomas B. Bailey, Jr. and Arch Murray.

Condolence calls will be received at the Duff residence.

Source:  Palestine Herald Press