Betty Jo Duncan passed away early Friday, August 11, 2023, to be welcomed into the arms of Jesus her Savior.
She was preceded in death by her parents Sarah Frost and Henry Frost; her loving husband of 64 years, Belton “Red” Duncan, Jr.; daughter Paula Elliott; brothers E.V., Jewel, and Herman Frost; and sister Mildred Edwards.
She is survived by daughters Amy (Eric) Fortenberry and Susan (Kevin) Hudson; grandchildren Chris (Cindy) Elliott, Mandy (Craig) Wolf, Emily (Aaron) Huckabee, Orin (Kim) Wilson, and Amy (Kevin) Crozier; Great-grandchildren Ethan Wolf, Jake Elliott, Avery and Darby Wolf; and Grayson, Atlee, Baylen, Juniper, and Graham Wilson. She is also survived by brother-in-law Paul (Tannis) Duncan, special friend Gary Wilson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Born April 27, 1929, in Tupelo, Mississippi, Betty and her mother and siblings moved to Starkville, Mississippi, after the great Tupelo tornado of 1936. She came from a long line of very strong, resilient women who were prayer warriors and trusted God in everything.
Betty and her husband “Red” had only $2.00 to their name after they married. She truly exemplified a Proverbs 31 woman; her hands were never idle. While Red worked, Betty made clothes not only for herself but for her three daughters. The clothes she made were one of a kind and lasted long after they no longer fit. She went on to make quilts for each daughter and grandchild, as well as crafts for the home and holidays.
In Spring 1962, she and her friends Pat Parrott, Lou Cross, Diane Jenkins, and Frances Nash met weekly as the “Sewing Group” in each other’s homes to complete their respective projects. After a while, the group became less of a “sewing” group and more of an “encouraging” group. This group, after 61 years, is a testament to true and lasting friendship, long after they couldn’t meet anymore.
She was never afraid to try new things. Before she married, she had only watched her grandmother cook. However, she became an excellent cook; everything was homemade from scratch. Her yeast rolls, pecan pies, pound cakes, sugar cookies, biscuits, dressing, pizza, and sweet tea were legendary.
She made her home a place where everyone was welcome and treated like family. She was selfless, gracious, hardworking, loving, kind, giving, and willing to help anyone in need.
Her greatest legacy was her faith in God, that she lived daily, which she passed on to her children, grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren. Even after her vision was gone, and she couldn’t read God’s word, she prayed daily for her family, extended family, and friends. In fact, her family regularly called her to pray, knowing she was a prayer warrior.
There are no words to describe gratefulness for her training and example, how she encouraged to do the very best, how she instilled a love of reading, how she trained to never mistreat anyone, and left an example of joyfully serving and loving others.
With heartfelt gratitude, we thank her family at Northside church of Christ, especially Jennifer Rude, Leanne Bullington, Elizabeth Anne Henderson, and Tara Stegall who helped by taking her to doctors’ appointments, Bible study, and worship services, as well as Tom and Veronica, Kimberly, John and Wanda, Renee, Carmen, and Cathy who called, visited, sent cards, and loved her.
A huge thank you to the staff at the Beehive in Starkville assisted living facility who were a blessing and so kind to her and the family: Amy Clark, Lakesha, Chris, Angie, Jasma, Ashley, Angela, and Vanessa.
In addition, thank you to Lauren, Brittany, John, and Lorena at Gentiva Hospice for their wonderful care, compassion, and kindness during her last few weeks of life.
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30)
Visitation is scheduled for Monday, August 14, 2023 from 2:00-3:00 P.M. at Welch Funeral Home in Starkville, MS.
