Obituary published on Legacy.com by Kernodle Funeral Home - Wynne on Mar. 18, 2026.
Janet Duncan, age 80, went to her heavenly home on March 17, 2026. She was born on December 15, 1945, in
Holly Grove, Arkansas, to Phillip and Bea Lofton, and was a native of Forrest City.
Janet was a 1963 graduate of Forrest City High School, where she was an active member of the drama club and band, nurturing a lifelong appreciation for the arts and community involvement.
She began her career with the Forrest City Housing Authority on December 17, 1979, and became Executive Director in 1990. Under her leadership, she guided and strengthened housing programs for Forrest City by lobbying before Congress in Washington D.C. She later expanded her role to other communities, assuming management of the Earle Housing Authority on August 9, 2005, the Hickory Ridge Housing Authority on April 1, 2014, and the Parkin Housing Authority on June 1, 2020.
Janet's professional contributions were widely recognized. She was named Member of the Year in 1999 by both the Arkansas Chapter and the Southwestern Region of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO). She served as president of Arkansas NAHRO from 1999 to 2001 and was inducted into the Arkansas NAHRO Housing Hall of Fame in 2002 while serving as Executive Director. Her dedication and leadership left a lasting impact on housing programs across the state.
A longtime resident of Forrest City, Janet relocated to Wynne in 2015. She spent her latter years cheering for grandchildren at various sporting events and traveling to state parks with her dear friend, Shirley. She also enjoyed time spent with friends at Wynne first Assembly where she taught the Adult Sunday School class for many years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Phillip and Bea Lofton; her siblings, Bonnie Chapman, Connie Brown, and Kathy Clark; and her granddaughter, Marty Calderon.
Janet is survived by her children, Robyne Reynolds and husband Derek, and Pete Duncan and wife Ashley; her grandchildren, Seth Reynolds and wife Ashley, Luke Chapman and fiancé Emily Davis, Lofton Reynolds and fiancé Tevin Hampton, Chandler Reynolds, Rylee Duncan, Parker Duncan and her great-grandson, the most special boy in the whole wide world, Tripp Reynolds; her sister Phyllis Wyatt and husband Randy. She is also survived by her bonus sons, Chuck Duncan and wife Sandy, and Barry Duncan and wife Dana, and their children Peyton Duncan and wife Kara, Grant Duncan and wife April, and Shelby Duncan; as well as great-grandchildren Allie, Micah, Dawsyn, Andi, and Haven, also many loving nieces, nephews, and faithful friends.
Janet's family would like to thank the staff at Legacy Hospice for their excellent and compassionate care, which allowed her to be at home surrounded by family and loved ones.
Her legacy of faith, love, and service to others will continue to live in the hearts of her family, friends, colleagues, and the communities she served.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the First Assembly of God in Wynne from 6 to 8 PM. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the First Assembly of God in Wynne at 11 AM. Burial will be in Forrest Park Cemetery in Forrest City, Arkansas.
Memorials may be made to Wynne First Assembly of God, 1900 Killough Road N,
Wynne, Arkansas 72396 or Lonesome Dove Ranch, 5156 Lonesome Dove Ranch, Royse City, Texas, 75189.
Kernodle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. You may sign an online guestbook at www.kernodlefh.com