Mrs. Ella "Tootie" Duncan

Ella Duncan, 70, better known to family and friends as Tootie, was a kind, thoughtful, beautiful caring soul. She dearly loved God, her family, fur babies, friends and country. She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend always thinking of and helping all of us above herself. She was the one person that knew how to handle any situation thrown her way. Her advice always came from a place of love and caring, which always made you feel better. As an invaluable part of the State Farm team for decades. She was a fair and honest adjuster who treated all insured and body shop technicians with dignity and respect. Tootie treasured family gatherings on Saturday afternoons during football season. She would prepare a variety of great food from gumbo, crabmeat casserole, potato soap or crab au gratin and watch her beloved LSU Tigers!! Her doors were always open to anyone wanting to come…. Even Alabama fans. One of her fondest sports memories was watching LSU beat Alabama and go on to a National Championship!! Holidays were all special events at her welcoming home where she lovingly prepared everyone’s favorite dishes and desserts and always included all family and friends who could join in the festivities. She prepared everything with love and adoration but her wookie cookies, egg custard and pecan pies were the best! About the only time Tootie ever took for herself was going to Navarre Beach to spend time with her best friend of forty years, Barbara Jowers. She loved the beautiful, white sands, crystal blue and emerald water. She absolutely loved listening to the waves, watching for dolphins, dipping in the water and walking the beach in search of special sand dollars and shells! After a great day at the beach, a simple but delicious meal was always on the agenda….along with a nice glass of wine on the deck! A top priority on her “bucket list” was to swim with the dolphins…which she was finally able to do with a best friend and a matriarch dolphin of 400+ pounds. It what a beautiful, unforgettable experience that she shared with everyone. Then there was a friend sisters trip to the beautiful mountains of North Carolina witnessing some of God’s most glorious creations! Several days and evenings filled with stunning sights and laughing until it hurt! Going to her heavenly home way too soon, Tootie will be dearly missed by all whose lives she touched in so many different ways. Those preceding her in death include her father, James E. Carpenter Sr.; brothers Ashton Hynes Carpenter and James Elder Carpenter Jr. Those left to cherish her memory include her husband Ron Duncan of Clinton, MS; son Todd P. Duncan of Gulfport, MS; sister Linda Rae of Jackson, MS; brothers Alan W. Travelstead of Jackson, MS, and Joel W. Travelstead of Jackson, MS, grandchildren Paisley Duncan and Sophia Womack of Gulfport, MS