Billie Jo Fitch Duncan

Visitation for Billie Jo Fitch Duncan of Longview, Texas will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2014 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Rader Funeral Home in Longview. Mrs. Duncan departed to her Heavenly home on December 24, 2014. A service will be held in the Chapel of Smith Funeral Home in Newton, Texas at 3 p.m. Monday December 29, 2014. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Smith Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in the Newton City Cemetery. Mrs. Duncan was born September 15, 1926 in Nacogdoches, Texas to John Benjamin Fitch and Effie Amanda Phillips Fitch. She Attended Nacogdoches schools and graduated from Nacogdoches High School. After graduation she went to work for Cason-Monk store where she met a Stephen F. Austin student, James Duncan. They were married September 3, 1950. After James’ graduation from SFA they moved to Newton, Texas where he began his coaching and teaching career. During these years she was employed in the accounting area of several local businesses. In the fifteen years before she retired, she was employed by the Texas Department of Human Services where she worked as a Case Manager. She retired from this position to enjoy retirement with her husband. During the years she took oil painting lessons and proved to be very talented. Many of her paintings are displayed in the homes of family and friends. She was a member of the Newton Garden Club and later the Jasper Women’s Civic Club. After James’ death in 1993 she continued to live in Newton and then in Jasper, Texas. In 2006 she moved to Longview to be closer to her family. Mrs. Duncan is preceded in death by her husband, James Duncan; parents John and Effie Fitch and numerous other siblings. She is survived by daughters: Nancy Duncan Watters, Jo Lynn Crane and spouse Kenneth R. Crane, granddaughter Susan Crane Jackson and spouse Chad Jackson, all of Longview. The arrival of great grandson Preston Ryan Jackson, born December 10, 2014 was an event she had long anticipated. Her devoted companion and Price is Right co-watcher Pebbles will miss her deeply. Her family wants to express thier deepest thanks and appreciation for the care provided by the staff of Summer Meadows Nursing Facility and Heart’s Way Hospice. The concern and care they showed went above and beyond anything we could have ask for. Heartfelt appreciation go to Pat, Bonnie, Trich, Maddie, Goldie, LaShondra, Cricket and the other staff of the East Wing at Summer Meadows. Her journey was eased by Michelle, Aleshia, and Cathy with Heart’s Way Hospice and for this her family will never forget your love for her. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” 2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)

Billie Jo Fitch Duncan

September 15, 1926 - December 24, 2014