Betty Jean (Noyes) Duke

Betty Jean Noyes Duke, a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother went to her eternal home on March 25, 2024, at the age of 90.   She has been a member of First Baptist Church, Cincinnatus, NY, Memphis Baptist Church, NY, and attended Bean Station Methodist, TN. 



Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter and son-in-law, Alece and Gary Degear, daughter/son-in-love, Sue and Ron Shippey, daughter-in-law, Sharon Duke;  grandchildren, Julie (Nick) Nickels, LynnAnn Murphy, Daniel (Jessica) Degear, Kristin Duke, Steven (Amanda) Duke, Billy Duke (Branden Henry), Matthew (Bethany) Degear, Jared Degear (Jeron Ryals), Alexa Murray, Jackie Murray; great grandchildren, Jessica Murphy, Allison Nickels, Nathaniel Degear, Ashlyn Nickels, Jaidan Degear, Krystal Gross, Abrie Nickels, Claire Degear, Dani Duke, Brett Nickels, Joey Degear, Steven Duke Jr, Lincoln Duke; sisters, Margie Robbins, Brenda DeMichael, in-laws, Nancy Noyes, Charles Januska, and many beloved nephews, nieces, and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Alec Duke, son William Alec Duke, and siblings, Rosalie, Shirley, Beverly, Carol, Theodore, Jackie, Linda, and Donna Sue. 

Betty was born on April 26, 1933 to Theodore and Marjorie Noyes in Pitcairn, New York.  She is the oldest of 11 children and grew up in Carthage, New York. On a blind date, set up by her cousin, Betty met Bill, the love of her life, whom she would marry and raise 2 children, Alece and Billy.   Early in their marriage, Bill and Betty moved to a beautiful farm in Cincinnatus, NY. They soon made friends in town and began attending First Baptist Church in Cincinnatus where they both dedicated their lives to their Savior, Jesus Christ.

After raising their children on the farm, Betty and Bill decided the farm life just wasn’t for them anymore, and they moved to the city of Syracuse. It was here that Betty’s love for fashion, art, and QVC flourished.

Betty enthusiastically supported Cincinnatus Christian Academy, which her husband was instrumental in founding, by volunteering her time there in the Home Economics class to share her knowledge of the latest make up and clothing trends.

Her love for music never waned. From singing in church to having her grandchildren perform for her in the kitchen, Betty loved it all.  

Betty never met a stranger. Her life is filled with dear friendships that started in the simplest of ways – a random compliment at the grocery store, answering an ad in the paper, a comment at the vet’s office- Betty was a friend to all.  She found great joy in a cup of coffee at her kitchen table with anyone who would stop by and was always sure to talk about salvation through Jesus.  Betty was dearly loved by her friends and family, with special closeness to her daughter, Alece, and loved most of all by her husband, Bill. He adored her, but what’s not to adore? Married just under 50 years, they had a love that rivals most. Betty never stopped pining for Bill right up to the day she was called Home. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to her granddaughter, LynnAnn, a missionary in Guatemala, via www.cten.org/lynnannmurphy. 
The family wishes to thank Carris Hospice and the staff at TerraBella for their kind and compassionate care of our loved one. 


The family will be present to receive friends May 18th, 2024, from 1pm -2pm at First Baptist Church of Cincinnatus with the funeral service to immediately follow.