JoAnn (Carlisle) Duty

JoAnn Duty, 91, of Troup, Tx, was welcomed to her home in glory by Jesus and a multitude of loved ones on August 31, 2021.  She was surrounded by her loving family as she transitioned to her eternal home.  

JoAnn was born on March 23, 1930, in Tyler, Texas.  She was raised in Arp, Texas by her parents Jewel and Minnie Carlisle. She was the middle child of 7 siblings, 3 sisters and 3 brothers.  Oh, how she loved them all and what wonderful laughter filled the room when they were together!  We know Heaven is surely filled with their sweet laughter today! Growing up in Arp, she spent many hours at her parent’s cafe and in the movie theater downtown. In high school, she was a cheerleader for the Arp Tigers and entertained and taught her young daughters all the cheers she remembered as they were growing up.  

She met the love of her life, Merle Duty, in Troup, Tx and they were married April 30th, 1951 in the Baptist parsonage in Arp while Merle was home on leave from the army. They lived life together in Troup where they raised their three children, Mike, Alicia, and Teresa.   JoAnn worked for several years at Troup Elementary School, then later worked for JB Dress Manufacturing Company. The remainder of her years she spent making a wonderful home for her family. 

After retirement, she and Merle spent many years traveling to beautiful places and meeting new people who became lifelong friends.  They gathered on the mountain in Arkansas often, where they spent hours together playing music with JoAnn on the tambourine. On many of their trips, they were accompanied by their grandchildren, who will always treasure those memories made with Memaw and Pa.

Over the years she enjoyed crocheting, reading, traveling, playing mahjong, and making ceramics.  But spending time with her family was her favorite pastime of all; eating, laughing and playing with the babies she loved so much. 

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents Jewel and Minnie Carlisle, her husband of 62 years, Merle Duty, her son Mike Duty and her six brothers and sisters, Raymond Carlisle, Jack Carlisle, Kathleen Grant, Vernie Roberson, Dean Haire, and Leon Carlisle.  She is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law, Alicia and David Toole and Teresa and Bobby Shockley.  Grandchildren Jason Toole, Cody Heath, Daniel Toole, Caleb Toole, and wife Jessica, Allison Smith and husband Josh, Blake Shockley and fiancé Nicole Bell.  She was blessed to live long enough to enjoy her four great-grandchildren: Emma Toole, Molly Toole, Caroline Smith and Cohen Smith.  

To know JoAnn was to love her, as she was kind, tenderhearted and loving.  She was a wonderful wife, Mama and Memaw and will always live on in the hearts of those she loved and who loved her.  JoAnn accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior many years ago, so we do not grieve as those with no hope. 

The family would like to give special thanks to Stephanie McKnight and Virginia McKnight, who have been her constant companions and devoted caregivers for the last three years of her life.  They became family to her and to us and we will be forever grateful for their loving care of our precious mother.  

The family will have a private celebration of JoAnn’s life and legacy.  Thank you for your love and prayers. 

God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. - Revelation 21:4

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of JoAnn (Carlisle) Duty, please visit our floral store.