Lorraine Duncan

1930 - 2023

Julia Lorraine Biser Duncan (Rainy), 92, Jacksonville, FL, joined the choir of angels January, 8 2023. Rainy was the eleventh child of Erie and Lizzie Biser, born March 5, 1930 in Adamstown, MD, Frederick County. Growing up on a huge dairy farm, Rainy was never lonely. Whether it was playing baseball in the cow pasture, family hymn sing-a-longs by the piano or getting into mischief with her brothers and sisters on the farm, Rainy enjoyed life. She graduated from Frederick County High School where she was a member of the Glee Club. Her gift of song remained with her all her life. Rainy was a faithful choir member at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Jacksonville, FL, for almost 50 years. Later, she organized and led the Cypress Village Christian Worship choir. Rainy met the love of her life, James Thomas Duncan (Jim), in Washington, D.C. They were married June 23, 1949 in Adamstown Church of Christ. Rainy and Jim shared 63 years of marriage living first in Wheaton, MD, then Philadelphia, Atlanta, and settling in Jacksonville, FL. After retiring, they traveled cross county visiting almost all of the US National Parks. Rainy cherished this time of good health, amazing destinations and making friends all along the way. Rainy was employed with People's Life Insurance, Washington, DC for four years. She was a long term homemaker raising her two daughters. She worked in telephone sales for Sears back in the days of catalog shopping (prior to the internet). Her final position was Supervisor, Florida Department of Vital Statistics; retiring after 10 years. Rainy enjoyed hosting social events for family, friends and neighbors. She was the life of the party. Her smile and laughter would fill the room with joy. Her favorite occasions were family gatherings for birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year celebrations. Rainy is preceded in death by her husband, James Thomas Duncan, her sons-in-law, Charles Hammons and Charles Goddard, her siblings, Richard Calvin Biser, Frances Elizabeth Biser Henn, Margaret Coblentz Biser Ringer, Helen Biser Snook, Marietta Biser Lewis, Joseph Erie Biser, Paul Melvin Biser, Martin Roland Biser, Dorothy Ellen Biser Southerly and Katharine Beatrice Biser Houff. Rainy is survived by her daughters, Lynn Dianne Duncan (Larry Halstead) and Jan Duncan Goddard; grandchildren, Charles Fielder Goddard II (Megan), Rachel Lorraine Goddard Claiborne (Sean), Duncan Gregory Hammons, Joel Thomas Goddard; great-grandchildren,

Charles Fielder Goddard III and Clara Lynn Goddard, plus 200 nieces and nephews. Rainy leaves an amazing legacy of loving life and truly living it to its fullest. A family grave side service will be conducted at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the charity of your choice or Cypress Village Christian Worship, (Contact Barbara Hooper) 4600 Middleton Park Circle East, Jacksonville, FL, 32224. Lorraine Duncan