Schley County GaArchives Obituaries.....Duncan, Joseph Lee January 10, 1942 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Harris Hill http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002514 February 24, 2007, 9:04 am The Ellaville Sun Friday, January 16, 1942 No. 27 MR. J.L. DUNCAN, 68, PAID TRIBUTE Mr. J.L. Duncan, 68, was honored for a lifetime of service to the educational, religious and business advancement of Schley county at funeral services conducted at Ellaville Baptist church Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Mr. Duncan who had been superintendent of Schley county schools for the past 17 years, died at his residence here Saturday night at 8:16 o'clock after a long illness, which he had fought valiantly to overcome and during which he had determinedly and cheerfully carried on his duties. Stricken nine months ago, the educator since had been confined to his home most of the time, but except for a six weeks period during the summer had gone to his office several hours a day whenever he could summon strength. Through an assistant, he continued to direct all activities of the school system until the last hours of his life. He had been to his office only once in the past eight weeks, that time to the board of education meeting which completed his 17th year as superintendent. Their heads bowed, hundreds of school children lined either side of the street near the church to form an honorary escort for the educator. The Rev. Hugh Dozier officiated and was assisted by the Rev. E.M. Palmer, superintendent of the county-wide high school, and Rev. Roy J. Bond. Dr. John L. Allman, assistant state superintendent of schools praised the official's record in a tribute spoken from his place in the congregation. Howard Hite sang "Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone" and "It is Well with My Soul." Burial was in Ellaville cemetery. Born in Schley county, October 31, 1873, Joseph Lee Duncan was the son of James Madison Duncan and Penelope Mott Duncan of Lowe Community. Entering the school profession at the age of 20, he was principal of several schools in this section. For a number of years, he operated a general mercantile store here. Mr. Duncan's marriage to Miss Jewel Jordan, of Shiloh community on December 14, 1899, ended with her death in August 1901. On December 5, 1905 he married Miss Rachael Freeman of Talbot county. Member of the Baptist church since early manhood, he taught the men's Bible Class until ill health forced his retirement, and was chairman of the Board of Deacons. A charter member of the Knights of Pythias, he held its highest offices, including the rank of Chancellor Commander. He also was a member of the city council for many years. Survivors include his widow, a daughter by his first marriage Mrs. T.J. Wallis, Americus; two sons, Charles F. Duncan, Richmond, Virginia, and Raymond Duncan, of Ellaville; one grandson, Charles F. Duncan, Jr., Richmond. Active pallbearers were Roy Smith, Dr. T.W. Wilson, S.A. Manning, R.S. Greene, T.J. Cooke and C.L. Battle. Members of the county board of education, school bus drivers and the Board of Deacons were honorary pallbearers. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/schley/obits/d/duncan6873gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 3.5 Kb