Blue Ribbon News ‘Good People’ shines spotlight on local leader
Meet Carolyn Cooksey Duckworth, a Rockwall resident since 1972, who serves as Regent of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Rock Wall Chapter.
Carolyn is third generation member of NSDAR, a member since 1967. Her continued leadership helps to promote DAR’s mission of historical preservation and patriotism.
Her accomplishments as a member of DAR include: Regent of Rock Wall Chapter 1986-1988, 2000-2002, 2010-2012; Texas State Board 1997-2000 (State Registrar) and 2006-2009 (State Treasurer); Texas State Committee Chairman 1983 to present (Committees: Texas Tours and Transportation, DAR Scholarship, DAR Good Citizen, DAR School, Chapter Achievement Awards, Bylaws Committee); and National Chairman 2007-2010 (NSDAR Program Committee).
Born and raised in Corsicana, Carolyn graduated from Corsicana High School and Southern Methodist University. Her parents are Robert M. Cooksey and Josephine Murchison; her grandparents are Dr. James B. Cooksey and Nevada Monaghan, and John S. Murchison and Daisy Polk.
Her proven DAR ancestors include Col. Ezekiel Polk (grandfather of President James K. Polk); John Parker (served as a private during the American Revolution and came to Texas following the War with his family and established Fort Parker in Limestone County. Fort Parker was over-run by Kiowa and Comanche Indians on May 19, 1836. John Parker was killed and two of his grandchildren, Cynthia Ann Parker and her brother Johnnie Parker, were kidnapped by the Indians); Thomas Cooksey; James Randall; Thomas Graves; and Robert Kilgore.
The Daughters of the American Revolution is the oldest women’s service organization. Founded on October 11, 1890,the organization has had more than 800,000 members worldwide since its beginning. There are, at present, more than 165,000 active members belonging to 3,000 chapters. There are chapters in all 50 states and Washington, DC. International chapters are in Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico Spain and the United Kingdom .
NSDAR is a non-political organization that promotes Historic Preservation, Education and Patriotism through its many committees. Being a member of this organization is important because of the many types of service it provides. There is something— some area of service or interest—for everyone, whether it be American Heritage, Historic Preservation, Lineage Research, American History, American Indians, Children of the American Revolution, DAR Scholarship (the DAR provides $1000s each year for scholarships to deserving students), DAR Schools (the DAR supports 6 schools in various parts of the country as well as two schools that primarily serve American Indians), Literacy Promotion (many DAR members tutor children and adults as well), DAR Service for Veterans (provides many hours of volunteer support to VA hospitals), National Defense (awards Good Citizenship Medals in public and private schools) or DAR Project Patriot (provides service and personal-care items to deployed military personnel).
Rock Wall Chapter, DAR meets monthly from August through May. Members enjoy the camaraderie they share with other members while hearing interesting programs and planning local service activities.
The Rock Wall Chapter was organized in 1978 by Mrs. James Goodson, and was named for the underground wall of rock that spans a large area below Rockwall County, discovered by early settlers who were digging wells.
For more information, contact Carolyn Duckworth at 972-772-0752 or rockwalldar@gmail.com.
Submitted by Joy Greenwalt; edited for publication by Blue Ribbon News, all rights reserved.
To submit your news and events or to nominate someone for a Blue Ribbon News Good People profile, email editor@BlueRibbonNews.com.
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