Joseph Reuben Duncan, 77, of Aiken, departed this earthly life on January 7, 2012, after a long battle with cancer.
Joseph Duncan, fondly known as “Joe,” was born April 19, 1934. He was the son of the late Rivers and Mary Alice Duncan. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Ruby Maude, David, Charles and Cecile.
Joe was baptized at an early age in the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Barnwell
He completed his education in the Barnwell County School System. Joe moved to New York City and furthered his education in heating and air conditioning services. After completing a course in this field he became employed by the Penguin Air Conditioning Company and worked there from 1967 until 1982. Because of Joe’s outstanding service to the HESS Corporation while employed by the Penguin Company, HESS offered Joe an opportunity to work for the HESS Oil Corporation to become a full time air condition technician to maintain the company’s four floors of office space located in the building on 6th Avenue and 46th Street in Manhattan. Joe remained employed with the HESS Corporation until his retirement in January 1996.
Joe married the love of his life, Marianne E. Bettermann in December 1967. Joe and Marianne were married for 44 loving years. After the couple retired, they moved from New York City to Aiken in 1997. Joe also enjoyed gardening and was admired by his neighbors for his well-maintained yard.
After returning to Aiken, Joe reunited with his church, Bethlehem Baptist in Barnwell where he remained faithful until his illness.
Joe leaves to cherish his loving memory: his wife, Marianne, his twin brother, Benjamin Duncan of Barnwell, two sisters, Equalla D. Mabrey and Deborah D. Bellinger of Barnwell, one sister-in-law Inez Duncan of Orangeburg, one nephew, Benjamin (Stephanie) Duncan II of Columbia, four nieces, Mary E. (John) Eaves of Mt. Prospect, Ill., Benita Duncan of Sumter, Gail (Don) Waymer of Columbia and Gretchen Adams of Albany, N.Y,. a number of grand-nieces and nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.
The People-Sentinel 01/11/12