She was born in Eudora, MS on September 24, 1934. She graduated from Hernando High School and shortly thereafter moved to Memphis. At that time, she completed courses in office management. She used these skills to later work for Sears, other local companies, and ultimately to help manage Duncan Masonry, a family business, for over 30 years with her late husband, Bill Duncan.
She enjoyed curating recipes, traveling with family, and spending time with friends. She was known by her children to be able to cook chicken 101 different ways and showed love to others by preparing them great food. She was a faithful volunteer at the Disabled Veterans of America and the churches that she attended by visiting those that were sick and in the hospital. Most recently she was a member of Bellevue Baptist Church. Most of all she will be known as a devoted family woman and remembered for lovingly raising her children and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Bill Duncan, son Derek Duncan, her mother and father, and 9 brothers.
She is survived by her daughters, Sharon Harris (Tommy) and Denise Ables (Wayne); daughter-in-law, Dana Duncan-Vansteenburgh (Joe); 6 grandsons, Benjamin Harris, Andrew Duncan (Carlin), Jeremy Harris (Malle), Sean Ables, Jonathan Duncan, and Christopher Ables; granddaughter, Elizabeth Hill (Austin); and 7 great-grandchildren, Solara, Marcus, and Cassia Duncan, Julianna and Savanna Ables, and Vesta and Marci Hill.
Memorials may be made to The Gideons or to Disabled Veterans of America.
Visitation will be held at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, Lakeland Hall, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133, US, on August 17, 2026, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am.
A Funeral Service will take place at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, Lakeland Hall, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133, US, on August 17, 2026, at 10:00 am.
A Graveside Service will follow at Memory Hill Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133, US, on August 17, 2026, at 11:00 am.
A Gathering of Family and Friends for food and fellowship will be held at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, Arlington Suite, on August 17, 2026, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm.
