Jane Duncan

1931 - 2020

Jane Duncan

Jane Duncan was born Jane Evelyn Rowan on February 9, 1931 in Paris, Texas to Holmes and Odessa Rowan. Her early years were spent in Paris, where she finished the 5th grade, until the family moved to Amarillo in 1942, where she was placed in the 7th grade. The family moved to Lamesa, Texas in 1944, where her father served as a long-time elder and song leader and her mother was well known as a seamstress and Bible class teacher. Jane was always active at church in Lamesa, and it was there she met Lewis in 1944. Church activities drew about 25 young people together into a close-knit group. Jane was in the Lamesa High School band, and an outstanding pianist. She was band "Sweetheart," and then went on to Abilene Christian College, where she majored in music and education, and was a leader in several clubs and honor organizations. After graduating in 1952, Jane married Floyd Lewis Duncan. She taught 1 year at Fannin Elementary school and 1 year in Porterville, California before the couple settled back in Abilene. Denise Duncan (Miller) was born in 1953, and Lavon Duncan (Burton) in 1957. Ray Duncan was adopted in 1959. Jane taught piano lessons to hundreds of students in Abilene for over 30 years, and taught at ACU for 10 years. She was a very active member of Hillcrest Church of Christ, teaching Bible classes and writing 3rd grade curriculum. In 1991, Lewis and Jane moved to Ruidoso, New Mexico and spent 12 happy years living atop a 5000 mountain with a view of the 12,000 foot Sierra Blanca. Those years were shared with family and many friends who loved to visit.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, and her younger brother Byron (Buddy) Rowan, of Searcy, Arkansas. She is survived by her husband, Lewis, children Denise and her husband Alan Miller, of Greeley, Colorado, Ray and his wife Sherry, of Edmund, Oklahoma, and Lavon and her husband Brian Burton, of Abilene. Lewis and Jane have also cherished their grandchildren, Lauren Ghonikishvili and her husband Giorgi, of Greeley, Colorado; Courtney Arnold and her and husband James, of Yukon, Oklahoma; Tyler Burton and his wife Elizabeth, of Abilene; Eric Miller of Denver, Colorado; Ashley Duncan and Chase Duncan of Oklahoma City; and Briana Money and her husband Keaton, of Johnstown, Colorado, and 7 great-grandchildren.

A memorial will be held at Hillcrest Church of Christ, and via Facebook Live, on Saturday, August 29, at 2:00 p.m.