Mary Bell Duff

Mary Bell Duff was born Feb. 24, 1939, to Ralph and Helen Phelps in Hiwassee Dam, N.C. She was raised in Lenior City.

Mary Bell graduated in 1959 from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a bachelor's degree in business administration. While at UT, she was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. After graduating from college, she married Gerry Duff, and they enjoyed 57 years together.

In addition to being a mother and homemaker, Mary Bell spent many years substitute teaching in the Greeneville City Schools. She was a longtime member of the Andrew Johnson Women's Club, Greeneville Christian Women's Club and Link Hills Country Club. She was an active member at First Baptist Church, where she belonged the Senior Couples Sunday School Class. Mary Bell formed lifelong relationships in that class with many of her closest and most cherished friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerry Duff; son, Doug Duff; mother, Helen Phelps; father, Ralph Phelps; sister, Joan Rogers; brother-in-law, Sidney Mayes; brother and sister-in-law, Gene and Dora Duff; and nephew, David Rogers.

She is survived by granddaughter, Savannah Duff of Greeneville; daughter-in-law, Melissa Duff of Greeneville; grandson, Hunter Duff of Oak Ridge; sister-in-law, Alice Mayes of Lenoir City; brother-in-law, William Rogers Jr. of Alamonte Springs, Fla.; nieces, Lisa and Glenn Orozco of Tazewell, Leslee and Dave Arnold of Kingsport and Linda and Don McNeil of Old Hickory; nephews, Craig and Donna Mayes of Lenoir City and Steve and Shannon Rogers of Deltona, Fla.

The family received friends 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, at Jeffers Funeral Home in downtown Greeneville. The funeral service followed at 3 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. David Greene officiating. The graveside service was in Lenoir City Cemetery at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 21. Contributions may be made to the Greene County Firewood Ministry c/o Amy Thomas, 80 Splatter Creek Road, Limestone, TN 37681.