Amy Duell

(From Royer Funeral Home)

Mighty angels with flaming swords guard the gates of Heaven, but they opened wide their gates on 01-01-2022 to welcome home the newest arrival. 

Amy Lynne Stiles Duell peacefully transitioned to her new life with her beloved husband and son by her side. 

Amy was born in Joplin MO, June 11, 1952, to Dr. Leslie E. Stiles and Avis V. Nelson Stiles. She was welcomed home to Asbury, MO a few days later by her adoring three older siblings, who always loved her and protected her, even when she was misbehaving and a parent was rapidly approaching to put a stop to it. She was the golden child, adored by all who knew her. 

When she was 3, the family moved to Carl Junction,MO, and Amy got "her" horse, Rowdy, that she had always wanted. But after Rowdy lived up to his name, and took her on a couple of wild rides, he soon lost favor with her. She attended school in Carl Junction, and graduated in 1970. She then attended SMU at Springfield, MO and graduated in 1974. 

Amy always loved children and young people, and she devoted much of her life to working with them. While in elementary school, Amy became a Girl Scout, and spend many hot summer days at Camp Mintahama, first as a camper, and later as a counselor. Lasting friendships were formed there, and she is still "Linus" to some of those friends. 

She moved to Colorado Springs in 1980 and managed a day care facility before she began to work for Colorado DHS, always working for the welfare of the children. She went back to college to earn her Master's Degree in 2000, then became a counselor at Discovery High School, an alternative high school, where she continued to give of herself to her students. Miz Duell was a favorite of theirs, always encouraging them to accomplish their best for her when they refused to do that for other teachers. Her usual comment was, "Oh Sweetie, you can do better than that!" 

Amy's first love was for God and her church. She met her husband, James Duell at Grace Episcopal Church, and they were married there on Feb 4, 1995. They continued as long time members of Grace Episcopal. Amy loved to sing and was part of the choir for 27 years. Christmas Eve was not complete until she had taken part in all the services, a traditional candle lit service with a processional, beautiful music, scripture readings, stand-up/sit down/kneel down, and a recessional. 

After the final midnight service, Amy often invited members of the choir and special friends to their home for oyster stew and whiskey, and a late visit. Sometimes James had to start putting things away before the guests decided it was time to go home. 

Amy served on the Vestry Board, and also belonged to the Alter Guild for many years, volunteering many days at the Thrift House. Amy's second love was for her family. She taught herself to quilt while living in Colorado Springs, and made numerous beautiful quilts for her extended family. Each newborn was greeted with a personalized baby quilt, and nieces and nephews received their quilts upon graduation from high school. Other quilts were given as wedding gifts, or "just because." 

She belonged to a Quilting Club, and loved their special weekend get-aways, where they could brag about their current projects, then spend the rest of the time eating, laughing, and catching up with the others. Amy and James loved to travel, and visited England a few times. Another place they loved to visit was Taos, NM, where they always stayed at the same small motel. James and Les have many photos taken there in front of the same statue. 

During the summer of 2020, Amy decided it was time to move closer to her much loved family in Missouri. They found a home in Grain Valley, MO, and moved in December 2020. Amy's last few months here on Earth were filled with grace, courage and contentment, knowing that something better was waiting for her. 

Those left behind to mourn her passing, but to rejoice with her in her new life, are her husband, James Campbell Duell, and son, Leslie Stiles DeMoss, both of Grain Valley. Also wishing her God Speed are two brothers, Lanny E. Stiles & Kelli, Canton, MO, Richard L. Stiles & Maria, Blue Springs, MO, and a sister, Ellen Traver & Roger, Joplin, MO, plus numerous much loved nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and even great-great nieces and nephews. Memorial services are planned for 1pm, January 15 at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Blue Springs, MO. Please make memorial donations to the ALS Society donate Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened. Dr. Seuss.