Gertie Frances Kendrick Duncan, a 79-year-old white woman from Leasburg, NC, passed away on May 9, 2022. Gertie was born on December 25, 1942, in Person County, and was the daughter of the late Bascom Eli Kendrick and Jodie Frances Neathery Kendrick. She was married to the late Jerry Gwynn Duncan. Gertie was a beloved member of her community, known for her active involvement in the Leasburg United Methodist Church, where she served as the Church Treasurer for a time.
She was also a dedicated coach for the local softball team and was known for her delicious cupcakes, which she often sent to the school for special occasions. Gertie worked as an accountant for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Danville, Virginia, for over 30 years, making lifelong friends who remained a part of her life long after she retired.
The circumstances surrounding Gertie's death were tragic. On May 9, 2022, Gertie was shot and killed by her husband, Jerry Duncan, in what has been described as a murder-suicide. Jerry, also 79 years old, was found on the back porch of their home with gunshot wounds and was still breathing when deputies arrived. He was taken to the hospital but died around 2 a.m. the following day. The couple's granddaughter, Morgan Mattos, explained that Gertie had been suffering from dementia for nine years, and Jerry had been deathly sick for three years with no diagnosis. Morgan described the incident as an act of love rather than a crime of hate, stating that her grandparents loved each other deeply and are now finally out of pain and together again.
The Person County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate the incident. No arrests have been made, and there are no suspects other than Jerry Duncan. The family has expressed relief that Gertie and Jerry are now resting pain-free together.
