Judy Jett Duncan

Judy Jane Jett Duncan, age 80, born August 8, 1944, went to be with the Lord on September 19, 2024. Her children, Clayton and Emily, were by her side.

Judy was 'Simply the Best' mother, Grammy, sister, friend, and teacher.

Judy was an educator for 38 years and spent a lifetime of pouring knowledge and creative curiosity into thousands of students. She had endearing friendships lasting from childhood until now. She was a member of many clubs: Alpha Chi Omega sorority, book clubs, wine clubs, and Bible studies. She had her friends giggling at her stories as she was inventive and full of red-headed energy, blue-eyed brilliance, and a contagious smile.

Judy graduated from Poplar Bluff High School, class of 1962. She attended SouthEast Missouri State College from the fall of 1962, through the spring semester of 1964. She was initiated into Alpha Chi Omega while at SEMO, and also started dating her sorority sister's brother during that time. In the early summer of 1964, the national headquarters of Alpha Chi Omega recruited Judy to transfer to Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. She graduated from LSU with a degree in speech and drama, and a major in English.

Judy married the love of her life, Robert ("Bob") Duncan, on February 4, 1967 at First Methodist Church Poplar Bluff, Missouri. They were married for 52 years; the love of their two children and laughter were highlights of their marriage.

Judy loved drama and usually had the leading role. She began her teaching career in St. Louis, Missouri, at Lindbergh High School, and taught three years in Japan while her husband, Bob, was stationed in the US Navy Civil Engineer Corps during the Vietnam conflict. She was a beloved teacher in Chicago before becoming an English teacher for 18 years at Frenship High School in Lubbock, Texas. Judy then taught eighth grade English, drama, and Future Problem Solving at Montgomery Junior High in Montgomery, Texas in 1997 (where she also served as the English department head) until her retirement in 2014.

Judy maintained lifelong ties with the friends she grew up with through grade school, junior high, high school and college. She loved joining them each summer on the Current River in the Ozark foothills. Judy relocated to Boerne, TX in August 2022 to live on the family compound behind Emily (her daughter) and David (Emily's husband) and next door neighbors 'in-loves', Horace and Linda Wilkinson (David's parents). She easily made new friends through her membership at Boerne First United Methodist Church and with fellow grandmothers in the stands, cheering on her grandchildren. She would often tell her grandchildren, "I love you the most."

Judy had a most infectious smile and a lively sense of humor. Her optimism and enthusiasm for life, her family, her students, good literature and good friendships never waned, even in her direst circumstances.

Judy is survived by her son, Clayton Duncan married to Stephanie Duncan.

Daughter, Emily Lauren Duncan Wilkinson married to David Todd Wilkinson.

Grandchildren: Campbell James Duncan, Parker Anne Duncan, Brooks Alton Wilkinson, Bobby Jett Wilkinson.

Brothers: William Joe "Bedo" Jett, Jim Bob Jett, and Jackson Jett.

Sister-in-law: Carol and Dwight Dickinson

Nephews: Scott and Craig Dickinson, Marc and Alan Jett

Judy is preceded in death by her mother and father: Robert and Cora Jett; In-laws Bill and Virginia Duncan; Sister-in-love: Wanda June Jett; Infant brother: Robert Alan Jett

Judy was the first to sign up for the Montgomery ISD mentor program upon her retirement in 2014, now called Project Impact. Project Impact matches community members with Montgomery ISD students to promote positive youth development through relationship building.

In lieu of flowers, those who would like to donate can make their checks out to Montgomery ISD Project Impact Mentoring Program:

Montgomery ISD Project Impact

c/o Courtney Dyer

P.O. Box 1475

Montgomery, Texas, 77356