Lynn H. Duncan passed away on Sunday, August 1st, after fighting a very courageous battle against cancer. She was surrounded in her last days with love from her husband, children, and grandchildren – all of whom she was so proud.
She was born on July 24, 1949, in Sewanee, TN, and was preceded in death by her parents, Hub and Marion Hawkins. She is survived by her devoted husband, John J. Duncan, Jr., children Tara (Bryn) Richardson, Whitney (Jason) Brown, John Duncan lll (financée Elizabeth), and Zane (Hallie) Duncan, and nine grandchildren who loved their Gigi: Beau and Hailey Richardson, Emma, Maclain, and Harper Brown, Jimmy and Charlie Duncan, and Zane Jr. and Miles Duncan.
During the last three years, confined to a wheelchair by a major stroke, and during these three months fighting cancer, she has uttered not one word of self-pity or shed a single tear, always more concerned about her family than herself. The only thing she has wanted over the last few months was for her husband to be by her side holding her hand.
She was primarily a wife, mother, and grandmother, but also had a very successful career as an executive for the Boys and Girls Clubs, both locally and nationally, and as a member of the Tennessee Board of Parole, and for her last nine years before retirement as Director of Major Gifts for Lincoln Memorial University.
She was once named as the First Lady of Knoxville, was in one of early classes of Leadership Knoxville, and was honored as Woman of the Year by the Women of Service Organization.
Lynn was a very active member of Eastminister Presbyterian Church, and later Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church. After her second stroke she and her husband watched their friend, Pastor Clarence Sexton, on television every Sunday.
At her request, Pastor Sexton will preach her funeral service, with eulogy by her friend Hallerin Hill, and special music by her friend Con Hunley. The service will be held at Temple Baptist Church in Powell, TN on Wednesday, August 4th at 6:00 p.m., with a receiving of friends to follow. Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at the Duncan Family Cemetery in Scott County, TN, with graveside service led by Reverend Scott Jackson.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jane Ann Haynes, Becky Paylor, Anne Klebenow, Jane Lowe, Nancy Jackson, Kayi Lewis, Ernie Patterson, Lydia Cosby, Anna Sue Watson, Vicky Fulmer, Cynthia Whitt, Don Sundquist, Pete DeBusk, Jessie Seal, and Michael Strickland. Special thanks to the hospice nurses and especially Angie Smith who helped make Lynn’s final days peaceful and comfortable.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Lincoln Memorial University. Arrangements by Rose Funeral & Cremation – Mann. www.rosefuneraltn.com
