Shirley Rae Duncan

Shirley Rae (Carnahan) Duncan, born November 10, 1936, in Huntingburg, Indiana, passed away surrounded by the love of her family. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and woman of deep faith, Shirley lived a life marked by service, resilience, and quiet strength.

Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lt. Col. Jack L. Duncan (Ret.); her daughter Teressa Duffee (Mark); her parents Roy E. Carnahan and Imogene M. (Perry) Carnahan; and her siblings LaRochelle Carnahan and Roy Carnahan (Marsha).

She is survived by her brother James Carnahan (Sue) and by her children: Cary Duncan (Sharon), Debra Coover (Rick), Michael Duncan, Larry Burkhead and Kevin Duncan

Shirley’s legacy continues through her many grandchildren—Andrew, Christina, Nicholas, Richard, Amanda, Mathew, Wesley, Todd, and Holly—as well as her great‑grandchildren: Abigail, Emory, Julia, Brett, Penny, Madison, Landon, Katrina, Autumn, Joshua, Devin, Dylan, Cameron, Madelynn, Ellie, Jackson, Carson, Lacey, Lucas, Astra, and Aliza and a great‑great‑grandchild, Kendall.

Raised in Evansville, Indiana, Shirley graduated from Evansville Central High School in the Class of 1954. Her life took a new direction when she married Jack L. Duncan, a dedicated U.S. Army officer who would later retire as a Lieutenant Colonel. Together, they built a life of purpose, adventure, and family across numerous military assignments, including memorable years in the Panama Canal Zone.

Shirley embraced the role of Army officer’s wife and homemaker with grace and determination. She created a warm, stable home through every move and deployment, offering her children and community a steady foundation. Her faith in the Lord guided her daily life and shaped the kindness she extended to everyone she met.

Shirley had a remarkable gift for gardening and landscape design. While living at Fort Clayton in the Panama Canal Zone, she earned the prestigious Order of the Royal Palm twice—in 1969 and 1970—for the most outstanding landscape and lawn. Her yards were not just beautiful; they were expressions of her creativity, discipline, and love of nature.

She also poured her energy into supporting young people, coaching a girls’ basketball team (ages 9–13) to an extraordinary 15–1 record and a championship season. Her leadership, encouragement, and competitive spirit left a lasting impact on every player she mentored.

Visitation will be Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at Newcomer Cremations, Funeral and Receptions, Southwest Louisville Chapel, 10304 Dixie Highway, Louisville, KY, from 11am-1pm with a celebration of Shirley's life beginning at 1pm.

✝️ A Legacy of Faith and Love

Shirley’s life was anchored in her love of the Lord, her devotion to family, and her unwavering support for her husband’s military career. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, beauty, and quiet strength—one that will continue to inspire all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Teressa Duffee Scholarship for Spanish Language Educators www.give.louisville.edu/TDuffeespanish in Shirley's memory.