Mary Helen Duncan

Mary Helen Duncan, 85, of Tyronza, went to her heavenly home on Friday, March 29, 2024. She was born May 27, 1938, in Savannah, Tenn., to James Otis White and Mary Jane Skimehorne White.

She was preceded in death by her parents and second father, Jasper Newt Byrd; husband, Clayton Duncan; daughter, Mary Pauline Duncan; grandson, Kenneth Duncan; sisters, Mildred Grant, Betty Greene; brothers, Loyce White, Buddy Woosley, Johnny Wayne Byrd and Floyd White.

Mary Helen is survived by her sons, Henry Duncan of Tyronza, Jimmy Duncan (Sandy) of Mt Vernon, Ill., Robert Duncan of Tyronza, James Duncan (Robin) of Jonesboro; daughters, Donna Wood (David) of Tyronza and Lisa Duncan (Gina) of Jonesboro; sister, Patricia Jane Hillard of Michie, Tenn.; grandchildren, Kristy Kash (Jeremy), Candace Polk (Josh), Caleb Duncan(Chelsey), Sarah Kluck (Kole), Micah Duncan, Joel Duncan (Faith), Amanda Williams (Chris), Daniel Wood, Jamie Duncan, Carie Greene (Bobby), Jordan Duncan (Brittney); great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Seth, Lexi, Callie, Lilly, Ava, Jake, Maddux, Eli, Sofia, Layla, Ella, Jade, Ryker, Rook, Colton, Tate, Aleia, Makayla, Grace, Elijah, Marybeth, Katelyn, Athena, Asher and Trey; great-great-grandchildren, Silas, Chloe and Logan.

Mary Helen was a member of the Tyronza First Baptist Church where she loved going to her Sunday school class each Sunday. She retired from the housekeeping department at Three Rivers Nursing Home. Mary Helen fiercely loved her family and was loved very much by her family. During her free time, she enjoyed tending a garden and loved being outdoors. There was rarely a time that she was not without a grandbaby to help with the gardening chores, especially during harvest time for shelling or snapping peas, shucking corn, or canning vegetables and preserving jellies for the winter. She loved the company of her family and enjoyed spoiling them with delicious meals where her infectious laughter and hugs welcomed everyone. She gave the best hugs to everyone! Mary Helen liked to travel and experience new things, but trips were short because her passion was her home and family.

The family will receive visitors on Tuesday, April 2, at First Baptist Church in Tyronza beginning at 11 a.m. with the funeral service to start at 1 p.m. with Bro. Eldron Gill. Burial will follow in Tyronza Cemetery. Wilson Funeral Home-Tyronza is in assisting the family with arrangements.