Betty V. Duncan's Obituary
Betty V. Duncan of Fort Myers, Florida passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side on Monday, December 3, 2018 following recent health challenges. She was 91 years old. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was born on September 11, 1927 in Cumberland, Maryland, daughter of the late Charles H. and Martha Jane Kelly Van Horn.Mrs. Duncan married Calvin M. Duncan Sr., her childhood sweetheart on July 4, 1945. Early in her marriage, Betty worked for Kroger Grocery store chain where she earned the high honor, one year of service as “The Kroger Queen.”As a young mother, in 1959 Betty and Mr. Duncan moved to Fort Myers, FL with their children Charles & Debbie. From 1959 to the late 1970’s they bought and ran the former Coconut Motel on US 41 in Fort Myers. In 1965, they were blessed with the birth of their youngest son, Calvin McKinley Duncan Jr. Betty loved being a stay at home mom. She worked as a school nurse at the school her children attended.As a result of accepting Christ as her Lord Savior as a young girl in Covington, VA, she attended Edgemont Methodist Church and later taught Women’s Ministry Bible Studies and children’s Sunday School classes at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church in Fort Myers where she was a member.Mrs. Duncan is survived by her children Charles (Janet) Duncan of Erlanger, KY, Debbie (James) Propp of Lehigh Acres, and Chip (Mary Jo Potter) Duncan of Fort Myers, FL. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Ryan (Tiana) Propp of Lehigh Acres, FL, Tara (Greg) Morris of Pottersville, NY, Ramsey (Susan) Propp of Fort Myers, FL; Courtney (David) Howell, of Independence, KY, Kyle (Katie) Duncan, of Cullman, AL, Calvin Duncan III, of Fort Myers, FL and Madyson Potter, of Tuscaloosa, AL.She is survived by ten great-grandchildren Cody & John Ryan Propp, Emerson Dos Santos of Lehigh Acres,FL, Duncan & Clayton Morris of Pottersville, NY, Michael Phillip Propp of Fort Myers, FL, Gage and Eli Duncan of Cullman, AL, and Leah & Mason Howell of Independence, KY.She is also survived by her nieces and nephews Claude (Marilyn) Baldwin of Huntsville, AL, Tracy (Doug) Ramsey of Broken Arrow, OK, Sandy Garlick of Alexandria, VA, Robbie Van Horn of Royal, VA and their children.Through the years Betty has had wonderful friendships that truly lasted a lifetime. She is also survived by her two best friends Ruby Stull and Louise Humphries of VA, along with her neighbors, Vel Graham and Dante & Sheri Hailing. Betty’s caregivers will be greatly missed. The family thanks you for helping to carry out her wishes of staying in her home. A special Thank You to her caregivers Trudy Brown, Theresa Skehan, Diane Ward, Bakeeta Hill, Karen Palmetier, and Susie Gopul.Betty had many pastimes. She loved to watch golf with her son Chip, especially if Tiger Woods was playing and winning, Wheel of Fortune, The Bold & The Beautiful, and church on Sundays. In her earlier days, she loved watching her son Chip play baseball. She was so proud of him, just as she was for all of her children. She loved her sports. She enjoyed shopping and looking for bargains with Mr. Duncan any day of the week. They always did everything together. On her free time from Mr. Duncan and their bargain adventures, she and her daughter Debbie would spend hours shopping. Many times they would call Mr. Duncan and say they were still shopping. In his subtle response of, “Yes, I know, I have to cook my own dinner” he knew it was a long day and could still be a couple of hours. He truly missed her when she was not near him. Calvin & Betty had a beautiful kind of love, a love like no other which trickled down to their children.She loved talking on the phone, especially the cell phone that her son Chuck gave her years ago to get in sync with the 21st century. Everyone she knew was now on “Speed Dial” literally. She loved chatting with everyone, but especially loved catching up with Chuck when he was free, her nephew CR, friends Ruby & Louise, and her children. Each night Betty looked forward to that good night call from Chip.She loved her talks with her nephew CR who was like another son to her. When CR visited, CR did not have a chance when his Aunt Betty & his wife Marilyn were in the same room. She especially loved to give CR & Chip the “Stink Eye” if they mentioned having a glass of wine as she never drank alcohol. During our holiday dinners, she intimidated the guests to the point that they were afraid of her “stink eye” and drank non alcoholic beverages. She was a hoot.Betty had the personality that lit up a room. She had a sense of humor that would catch you totally off guard, yet laugh for hours. She loved people and accepted everyone. However, if she thought someone needed a tough talking to, she did not hesitate to tell you her thoughts. If you asked for advice, you needed to be ready to handle “Betty’s Truth or opinion” because you might not be happy with her response. However, she always showed compassion with the kindness of hearts of a loving mother and friend.Mrs. Duncan was predeceased by her parents and her husband Calvin McKinley Duncan Sr. of 61 years on October 8, 2006, and an infant son on August 1, 1946.A Funeral Service for Betty will be celebrated by Pastor Cary Robinson at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 inside the Chapel at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33907, (239) 936-0555. Guests will be received for Visitation for one hour preceding this ceremony beginning at 1:00 PM also inside the funeral home chapel. At the conclusion of these services, friends and family will recess to adjacent Memorial Gardens Cemetery where Betty will be laid to rest alongside her husband Calvin inside the Mausoleum located at the Chapel of Light.To share a story or photo, leave a tribute or photo or to offer condolences to the family at this difficult time please visit Betty’s memorial webpage at www.fortmyersmemorial.com and sign her guestbook.In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the St. Jude Foundation of Fort Myers or the Fort Myers Human Society, in Memory of Betty Duncan.
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