Martha Sawyer Duncan

Martha Sawyer Duncan, 80, of Birmingham, AL, formerly of Poplar Bluff, MO, went to her heavenly glory on March 12, 2012, with her family by her side.

Mrs. Duncan was born May 14, 1931 in Graves County, KY. She graduated from Symsonia High School in 1949 and being a product of the Great Depression she knew that a good education was her way to elevate herself from poverty and as such worked hard to pay her way through college. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Murray State University in 1954, where she was named to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities and was named Outstanding Senior Business student. She then received a Master of Science degree in 1962 and did additional graduate work at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Mrs. Duncan taught business education at Kennett High School and Poplar Bluff High School before being hired as a business instructor at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, MO in 1967. She was always honored and proud to have been chosen as one of the original faculty members of Three Rivers. She served on every college committee at one time or another during her 26 years of service. She served on the Tenure Committee from 1972 until her retirement. She served on the Faculty Council five times and as chairwoman. She also served as Division Chair of the Business Department. She retired in May, 1993 from the college.

Mrs. Duncan was instrumental in establishing Kappa Chi chapter of Beta Sigma Phi in the late 1960’s and served as the charter president. She also helped organize Beta Epsilon chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary educational sorority for key women teachers and served as the charter president in 1974. She was a former member of Junior Study Club and served in several positions. She dearly loved P.E.O., a philanthropic educational organization, and was an active member in the KB chapter in Poplar Bluff, Chapter N in Tuscaloosa, and Chapter P in Birmingham, AL. Through the years she served as treasurer, chaplain, vice president, and president. She was also elected to the Missouri State P.E.O. Bylaws committee.

She was a member of the Church of Christ and taught a ladies’ bible class for over 25 years at Highland Drive in Poplar Bluff. After moving to Tuscaloosa in 1999, she was a member of University Church of Christ, and most recently of Heritage Place Church of Christ in Birmingham.

Mrs. Duncan was an avid bridge player, playing in the same bridge club for 30 years in Poplar Bluff and then finding other bridge clubs when she moved to Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. In addition, she loved gardening and was particularly proud of her peonies.

On July 1, 1955 she married Arnold J. Duncan of Lowes, KY. He was a COE/MCE coordinator at Poplar Bluff High School for over 30 years. He preceded her in death in 1992. She was also preceded in death by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Ted Sawyer of Symsonia, KY, and two brothers, Dr. Robert Sawyer of Russellville, KY, and Teddie Lee Sawyer.

Survivors include one son, Denis Julian Duncan, and his wife Tammy, of Atlanta, GA; one daughter, Susan Duncan Compton, and her husband Joe, of Birmingham, AL; one brother, John W. Sawyer, of Paducah, KY, and one sister, Dr. Nancy J. Sawyer of Birmingham. In addition, she is survived by the joy of her life, her 4 grandchildren, Sawyer D. Duncan and Walker W. Duncan of Atlanta, GA and Jessica G. Compton and Joseph E. Compton, III (Joey), of Birmingham, AL.

Special appreciation and gratitude are expressed to the “angels”, Linda Moore, Renia Perry, and Debbie Harding, who came our way to sit with her during the last five months and stayed with her to the end. Words will never express our thankfulness for each of you. In addition, the family would like to thank New Beacon Hospice for its’ care during the last month, and in particular Barbara Brewer, who blessed us all with her angelical musical voice during the last days.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 14 at Ridouts Valley Chapel in Homewood, AL from 5-7:00 p.m. The funeral will be held on Friday, March 16 at Milner and Orr Funeral Home in Paducah, KY, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and the funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Graveside services will be immediately following, with J. Wayne Kilpatrick officiating.

In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Duncan would be honored if memorials would be made to the Arnold J. Duncan and Martha S. Duncan Memorial Scholarship at Three Rivers Community College, 2080 Three Rivers Blvd., in Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.