Betty Jane Duff

May 22, 1938 – December 2, 2022.

She is preceded in death by the love of her life, David Duff; her parents, Clyde and Lillie Tucker; sister, Baby Girl Tucker; and her three brothers, Bill, Ed, and Carroll.

She is survived by her daughters, Jan Duff and Melinda Timmons; son-in-law, Tim Timmons; three grandchildren, Jennifer Timmons, Brandon Timmons, and Kristen Curtis(Mike); one great grandson, Tyler Timmons; along with other family and friends who all loved her and will miss her dearly.

She loved the Lord, and she loved her family. Born Betty Jane Tucker, the fourth child of Clyde and Lillie Tucker, May 22, 1938, immediately followed by her twin brother Billy Gene. Their mother was 37 and they were her only children born in a hospital. With the birth of the twins came a move from a modern house to a more economical, smaller home without running water but instead a well and outhouse, where her parents would live the next 30+ years. Betty had very little use of her right arm and hand, and they never knew why. It was discovered when she wasn't able to hold her bottle when she was a few months old, and Bill could. Because of her handicap her mother babied her and because she was babied, her brothers tormented her. Those are most likely the reasons she spent her childhood and early adulthood proving she could do anything anyone else could and probably faster. She rode a bicycle, which she loved doing much of her life, she climbed her favorite tree to hide from the world, she taught herself to drive her brother Ed's car while he was in Germany. It was of course a standard transmission with the gear shifter on the column. She would hold the bottom of the steering wheel with her right hand and reach through the steering wheel with her left to shift. Driving was one of the few things her mother encouraged her to do and once that was mastered Lillie and Betty could go anywhere they wanted, and they were both happy. At Mabelvale High School (class of '56), she could type with one hand just about as fast as most people with two. She earned a full scholarship to Henderson University, but her parents wouldn't let her accept it, she had a good job making $175 a month waiting for her at Union National Bank where her oldest brother worked. She was heartbroken. Months later, she met David Duff and 6 months later they were married on August 7, 1957. They were completely devoted to each other and married 61 years. Betty never complained or criticized David and she would tell you a thing or two if you did. For about 12 years, after he had had a series of strokes two times, she had to help David with so many things; putting on socks & shoes, buttoning his shirt, opening water bottles, carrying everything that needed carrying, to name a few. She never complained, always smiling and happy and thankful they were still together. The scripture that sums up Betty's life is Philippians 4:11-13, I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation... I can do all through Him who gives me strength . That carried Betty and David through life. They loved the Lord and had faith. David loved to testify of how good the Lord had been to them and how He brought him through those strokes to be able to swallow and talk again, to get out of bed and eventually walk again. With Mom by his side in faith believing. The Lord only knows how many people he led to the Lord along the way. Now they are both with the Lord and we have the promise of salvation to spend eternity with the Lord and them. That is the greatest legacy they could have left us. Betty loved the Lord. She loved her husband. She loved her kids. She loved her grandkids. She loved her most wonderful great grandson ever.