Mary Carolyn “Duke” Frank, 88, passed away August 14, 2026. A memorial service will begin at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 24, 2026 at the Strode Funeral Home Chapel. Strode Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

‘Duke’ was born April 1, 1938, to Bertha Beebe Duke and Jep Berry Duke in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After graduating high school in 1955 she attended Oklahoma A & M College at Stillwater, OK. In 1957 the college became Oklahoma State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree with honors, graduating in 1955. It was there that she met a country boy from Morrison, Oklahoma, the love of her life, L.D. ‘Hoss’ Frank, whom she married on August 27, 1958. They affectionately became known as “Hoss and Duke”. Both loved to tell the story that not many can set claim to…. They went to Stillwater to college as an Aggie and graduated from a university as a ‘Cowboy and Cowgirl’ without very changing schools!!

She worked at Berry Oil a company in Stillwater before moving to the OSU University as the right hand ‘man’ of Dr Salmon, Dean of Architecture for over 11 years. She was the first President of the National Secretaries Association serving in that roll for several years. All the while starting and raising a young family. She had a deep love for learning, teaching others and was well known for her kindness and generosity to family, friends and her small community.

She loved to study and learn about the Bible spreading the word and sharing with others that yearned to know the truths from the Bible also. She spent more than 45 years as a loyal servant of Jehovah God spreading those truths to all that showed an interest in learning bible knowledge, as she did. Besides raising her family and spreading the word of God, she and her husband ran Noble County Feed & Seed in Morrison, Ok for 12 years. She also opened and operated a health food store during this time. Which required more learning, teaching and helping others learn about good food, health and nutrition. She did extensive research on health which included much travel.

She became a huge genealogy buff and took great joy in learning about and preserving her family’s history. She shared this info at every family reunion, even writing books for different family lines. She created and wrote the Morrison Community Development Newsletter for years, sharing history of our small community along with the genealogy of many. She traveled across the United States to gather information at every small library along her route. This was also family time, as she always had a couple of grandkids with her on her ‘vacation’. She had a true gift for connecting with people. She loved to talk, share stories, and most of all, help others whenever she could.

Family has always been of utmost importance to Carolyn. Carolyn Duke Frank is preceded in death by both parents, her bonus mother, Ola Duke; sister, Bebe Spessard and brother JB Duke. Her Brother-in-law LeRoy, and sisters-in-law Evelyn Rogers and Ruth Ann George

She is survived by her four children, Jeff Frank of Morrison, Jan and husband Gary Lesh of Perry, Joe and wife Rochelle Frank of Bergheim Texas , and Rebecca "Becky" and husband Richard Denton of Stamford Connecticut; grandchildren Jennifer Christian, Jackie and wife Stephanie Frank, Jason and wife Danielle Lesh, Jared Lesh and Erika, Jamin and wife Megan Lesh, Joel Lesh, Jenna Lesh, Jordan and wife Katie Lesh; great grandchildren, Wyatt Christian, Sage Christian, Raylee Christian, Daden Christian, Dayla Christian, Taygen Jo Frank, Jackson Frank, Jillian Frank, Jake Frank, Josie Frank, Jayci Frank, Carson Stokes, Gunnar Lesh, Cannon Lesh, Jake Lesh, Mattie Ward, Jensen Lesh Canton Matlock; and two great-great grandchild, Ryder Christian and Riggin Christian. Along with a slew of nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.

What a fantastic life this hard working, determined, caring, giving, loving woman of God has had!

Until we meet again