Betty Jean Duncan was born on August 17, 1942 to the late Thomas and Belzie Shelton, Sr.  She graduated from Bibb County Training School in Centreville, Alabama in 1960.  She moved to Akron, Ohio in 1960 following the death of her father.

On July 9, 1966, she married George A. Duncan.  To this union, two children were born, a son, Marvin B. Duncan, and daughter, Jeanette L. Duncan.

She had been a member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church and later became a member of Providence Baptist Church where she served the Lord faithfully on the Usher Board.

Betty Jean enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.  She especially enjoyed cooking and playing bingo with her devoted daughter.  The rest of her time was spent traveling and enjoying numerous hours talking with her loving son.  She also loved playing cards, board games, and watching movies with the love of her life, granddaughter Aleah, who she affectionately nicknamed “Fatty”.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Shelton, Sr; brothers, Thomas Shelton, Jr. and James Franklin; sisters, Emma Whitfield, Florence Sims, and Lillie Austin; brother-in-law, Richard Duncan and sister-in-law, Catherine Duncan; and great-great niece, Ashley Williams.

She leaves to cherish her memories son, Marvin (Arnise) Duncan; daughter, Jeanette L. Duncan; granddaughter, Aleah N. Duncan; step-grandson, Howard A. Hill; six sisters, Vesta Moton, Belzie Carson, Ivory (John) DuBose, Mattie Paschel, Algusta Worthey,  her beloved twin sister, Betty Joe (Daniel) Worthey; sisters-in-law, Annie Shelton, Nellie Drake, Betty Ruth (Charles) Townsend and Mary Ann Franklin; brother-in-law, J.C. Sims; special cousin, Edna Goode; godson, Earl McDonald III; special nephews, Clark (Sherry) Holloway, Sr. and Scottie Sims; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who loved Betty Jean dearly.