Obituary of Lavon Duncan

Lavon Riley Duncan, 91, died on February 18, 2013, at McGraw Center for Caring, Jacksonville Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband, Judge Gordon A. Duncan, Jr.

Lavon was born August 22, 1921, in Waco, Missouri, the youngest daughter of seven children born to Mary Lena Goedeke Riley and Jesse Peck Riley. She graduated from Southwest Missouri State Teachers' College, now Missouri State University, in Springfield, Missouri in 1941. She taught business courses at Carl Junction (Mo.) High School until she was swept off her feet by a handsome soldier from Florida she met at a USO dance in 1945. Lavon and Gordon were married in 1946. While her husband attended the University of Florida Law School, Lavon worked as a secretary to University Vice-President John S. Allen. Her primary career after her marriage was as a wife and mother, and she poured her energy and devotion into providing a loving and supportive home to her family.

Lavon is survived by 2 sons, Gordon R. Duncan and his wife Carla of Ft. Myers, FL and Douglas P. Duncan and his wife Cheryl of Pt. Orange, FL; 2 daughters, Mary ("Cherry") D. France and her husband Ken of Mechanicsburg, PA and Diane D. Kirkland and her husband John of Jacksonville, FL; 6 grandchildren, Micah France and wife Becky, Riley Duncan, Ashley Duncan, Angelina Duncan, Kylie Duncan and Chloe Kirkland; and 2 great-grandchildren, Keegan France and Dominic France.

Lavon was an avid Gator football and basketball fan, and her children knew not to phone her when she was watching "the game." Well into her 80s she was skilled bowler with a mean hook, often scoring above 200. She was an excellent cook, much to the delight of her family and members of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Jacksonville, where she attended for more than 50 years, lending a hand in the preparation of numerous church suppers. Most of all, Lavon was a loving, caring person who will be deeply missed by her friends and family.

Family visitation will be from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday, February 22, 2013 at Arlington Park Funeral Home, 6920 Lone Star Road and a memorial service will be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 8264 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, FL 32211, on Saturday February 23, 2013 at 10:30am. Interment will follow at Arlington Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Northeast Florida Community Hospice and St. Paul United Methodist Church.