Joe Lee Duncan Sr.

Joe Lee Duncan Sr., 93, quietly passed away and entered heaven on January 5, 2025. He was born July 25, 1931, in Tiplersville, MS to parents J.M and Viola (Echols) Duncan. He is survived by his wife of 72 years Bettye Lee (Skinner) Duncan, two sons Dr. Joe Lee Duncan Jr. (Beth) of Eupora MS and J. Phillip Duncan (Lynda) of Starkville, one granddaughter Sara Grace Duncan and her mother, former daughter-in-law Judy Duncan, and 2 step-grandsons John McCord and William McCord. Joe being born into a farming family loved all things Agriculture. After graduating at 16 years of age from Chalybeate High School as the 1948 Class Valedictorian he attended Mississippi State University where he graduated with honors with a degree in Agricultural Education. As with the times and his involvement in ROTC while a student at MSU Joe entered the Army upon graduation as a 2nd Lieutenant serving both domestic and abroad in The Korean Conflict. While serving as the Company Communications and Morale Officer, he received a commission to 1st Lieutenant which was the rank he proudly served as until his Honorable Discharge from the he Army. After serving his country Joe returned home to his wife and first child and moved the family to Memphis to begin a long career in the Cotton Business working first for Hohenberg Bros. which was later purchased and became Cargill Cotton. His time in the business spanned almost 40 years. In retirement he and Bettye moved to Starkville to enjoy being closer to family, which he loved, and his other love MSU Sports. Joe was a member of First Baptist Starkville and the Johnston Sunday School Class. The pallbearers are Larry Drewrey, Sammy Drewrey, Larry Hopper, Wayne Hopper, Mark Longworth, Raymond Skinner, Anthony Skinner, Jerry Renfrow. A visitation time and funeral service will be held at McBride Funeral Home in Ripley MS with visitation starting at 11am and the service to immediately follow at 1pm on January 8, 2025. Clifton Curtis, Associate Pastor of FBC Starkville will officiate. Graveside and burial will follow at Providence Baptist Church Cemetery, Tiplersville MS. A special thanks to the Staff of the State Veterans Home, Kosciusko, MS for the loving care and friendship shown to our father and family over the last year and a half. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to either First Baptist Church Starkville, Attention: Linda Blair, 106 East Lampkin St., Starkville MS 39759 or the Alzheimer's Association Mississippi Chapter, P.O. Box 456, Ridgeland MS. 39158.

Joe Lee Duncan Sr.

July 25, 1931 - January 5, 2025