Dorothy “Carolyn” Duncan, 82
December 11, 1942 – August 22, 2025
Dorothy “Carolyn” Duncan, 82, resident of Tippah County, passed away Friday, August 22, 2025, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, MS.
A graveside service honoring Mrs. Duncan’s life will be held at 5:30 PM on Sunday, August 24, 2025, in the Falkner Cemetery with Bro. Doc Shelton officiating.
Born December 11, 1942, in Prentiss County, she was the daughter of the late Vernon “Red” and Aera B. Swinney Key. She lived in Booneville, MS until she graduated high school and moved to Tippah County once she married. Mrs. Duncan was a factory worker and a beautician until she later found and married the love of her life, the late Robert “Bobby” Duncan, He provided for her to retire as a homemaker so that she could help raise her grandchildren, who affectionately referred to her as “grandmother.” She thrived in this role and made sure that her home was always a place for everyone to gather, fellowship, and feel at home around a warm home cooked meal. “Grandmother and Pops” was a place where her grandchildren spent their summers and as much of their free time as they could.
Being known as an exceptional cook, her grandchildren especially loved her cream corn. Her husband always kept a garden, and she would preserve the harvest for the countless meals that were served to her family and friends. She loved to bird watch, especially the cardinals and hummingbirds and visited her frequently. Mrs. Duncan was a proud, hardworking, and God-fearing woman who deeply loved her family and was always “on call” whenever anyone needed her. She will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her.
Those left to cherish her memory include her two adored sons, Joe Tatum of Tiplersville and Bill Tatum of Ripley, five grandchildren, Darrell Tatum (Brittney), Joanna Tatum, Kassi Tatum Ivy (Alex), Anna Chapman (Whit), and Cede Tatum (Dylen), nine great-grandchildren, Emry Rae Tatum and Patrick, Brooks Terry, Ellasyn and Tatum Ivy, Adalyn Raye Mathis, Jon Reese Bryant, and Amelia and Willa Carole Butler, two sisters-in-law, Nell Bingham and Janice Braddock, four stepchildren, Chuck Duncan (Sandy), Barry Duncan (Dana), Robyne Reynolds (Dereck), and Pete Duncan (Ashley), and eight step-grandchildren, Shelby, Peyton, Grant, Rylee, and Parker Duncan, and Lofton, Chandler, and Seth Reynolds.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of twenty-four years, Robert “Bobby” Duncan, two sisters, Irma Buchanan and Jeanette Linnan, and one granddaughter, Marty Duncan Calderon.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the ICU nurses of North Mississippi Medical Center for their compassionate care.
Ripley Funeral Home invites you to share memories and condolences with the Duncan family.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
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Graveside Service
Sunday
August 24, 2025
5:30 PM
Falkner Cemetery
CR 301
Falkner, MS 38629