Carolyn Cline Duke was born April 10, 1907 in Tulsa, Indian Territory at the family home at 907 S. Boulder, where the First Christian Church now stands. She died July 10, 1999. She was the second child, first daughter of Caroline Norman Cline and E.B. Cline, who married in Chicago, November 16, 1904, honeymooned at the St. Louis World Fair and returned to Tulsa, where they first met to set up housekeeping. Carolyn had 2 sisters and 4 brothers, all of whom preceded her in death. She married John W. Duke on September 9, 1938 and they enjoyed a marriage of 45-1/2 years before his death, April 26, 1984. She was a Secretary at Pure Oil Co. for a number of years, quitting after John returned from service at the end of World War II. In 1947 she started to work at Tidewater Oil Co., which later became Getty Oil and then Texaco. When Texaco moved its offices to Houston in 1963, Carolyn was Secretary to the Purchasing Agent and was offered a transfer which she, of course, refused. She could not leave her native Tulsa. She was proud of being older than the state and a true Tulsa native. She was proud of her family's contributions to the city - her uncle, H.R. Cline was the 6th Mayor of Tulsa, 1904-5; her father was City Auditor for many years, then joined the Tulsa Police Force and at an age when most people are ready to retire, he became a school crossing-guard and helped thousands of children safely across 11th Street (then Route 66) at Wheeling Avenue to attend Jefferson Elementary School. In the summers he also worked at Newblock Swimming Pool for the Tulsa Park Dept. Mrs. Cline was an Election Judge for the Democratic Party in her precinct. For many years Carolyn was an active member of St. Paul's Methodist Church, where she was Recording Secretary for the Official Board. After her father died she began taking her mother to Boston Avenue Methodist Church and soon transferred her own membership there. She and her husband, John became active members of the "Married Folks Class", where Carolyn played the piano and the organ for many years. During the years that she and John weekended at their cabin on Ft. Gibson Lake she played for the small non-denominational church which served the Snug Harbor area. She was Secretary/Treasurer for the Tidewater Retirees and for 32 years was the primary reporter, editor and typist for its monthly newsletter, The Ebb Tidings. She was a charter member of the Tuesday Book Club, reading and discussing books of substance with like-minded friends. Carolyn was a witty, compassionate, articulate person, loved by all who knew her and that included many, many people, for she never met a stranger. She really enjoyed life and helped those around her to enjoy it also. Although she and John were not blessed with children of their own, she is survived by: 9 nephews; 2 nieces; 32 great-nephews and nieces including Johnna Cline, who was especially dear to her; over 40 other relatives; as well as a host of friends. We do not mourn her passing, for she was tired and ready to go, but her absence leaves an immense void. Visitation 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Tuesday, Moore Memory Chapel. Service Rose Chapel, Boston Avenue Methodist Church, Wednesday, 11 a.m. Burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. Moore Memory Chapel.
Tulsa World
July 1999