Ann Duncan

Ann Tucker Duncan of Cleveland, Tennessee passed away Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the family residence.

She was born at Speck Hospital in Cleveland to Marcia and Robert Hamilton Tucker. Ann grew up and spent all of her youth in Cleveland with her younger sister and best friend Gayle Tucker Howard. Ann attended Arnold Elementary School where she met the love of her life, Eddie Duncan. 

The high school sweethearts both attended Bradley Central High School and went on to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville together. Eddie was studying medicine in pursuit of becoming a doctor and Ann studied primary education. The pair graduated college together in 1964 and Ann happily followed Eddie to Memphis as he completed medical school at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. There in Memphis, she was an elementary school teacher. In June of 1968, Ann and Eddie moved to Biloxi, Mississippi where Eddie joined the United States Air Force Medical Center. Their next move was to Atlanta, Georgia to finish out Eddie's residency in Ophthalmology at Emory University. After all the moves, sacrifices, and years of hard work, the couple moved back to the place where it all began, Cleveland, in 1974.

"It took us 13 years to get back to Cleveland. Wherever Eddie went, I went happily," Ann has said when reflecting on her and Eddie's journey. The couple came back with two children, Tucker Lewis Duncan and Tracy Lee Duncan and began their forever family life.

Ann was an active member of Broad Street United Methodist Church for several years where she sang in the choir, was a member of the Triplett Sunday School Class, and was the first female to distribute offerings when her husband Eddie needed an extra usher. Ann was a faithful member of the Bradley County Medical Auxiliary. She also enjoyed her book club with her dearest friends for many years, as she was an avid reader. Ann contributed to several charitable organizations - many that helped support animals in need which she had a strong passion for.

Above all, Ann supported her family and loved doing so. Ann is remembered as a brave, forceful woman that was always willing to state her mind and stood strong in the face of adversity. Ann's love for Eddie was fiercely unwavering and echoed through the love she had for her whole family. She was incredibly proud of her children and grandchildren and spoke highly of their accomplishments at any given chance.

Ann and Eddie took many trips to New Smyrna Beach with their children Tucker and Tracy. Once Ann's grandchildren came along, the beach trips transitioned to Perdido Key where she and Eddie bought a vacation home. Many of Ann's summers were spent at the beach or at her river house that she and Eddie had built in 2000 - aptly named "AnnHaven."

Her greatest memories were spent surrounded by her family. Ann was preceded in death by her mother and father, Marcia and Robert H. Tucker; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Lona and Edwin Yates Duncan; and her adoring husband, Dr. Eddie Norris Duncan. Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Tucker and Cheryl Duncan; daughter and son-in-law: Tracy and Kenny Needham; grandchildren: Dr. McKenzie Needham Whitmore and husband Brady Whitmore, Kenneth Stokes Needham III and fiancé Rebecca Hanniford, Lindsey Elizabeth Duncan, Hamilton Tucker Duncan, and Miles Norris Duncan; sister and brother-in-law Gayle and Taylor Howard.

A private service is being planned and will be held at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery where Ann will be laid to rest with Eddie. More details on the service will be provided at a later date.

You are invited to share a personal memory of Ann or your condolences with her family at her onilne memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral & Cremation Service and the Cody family are honored to assist the Duncan family with these arrangements.