Obituary of Etta Duty

Etta Duty, 88, of Roanoke, died in Roanoke, Va. On January 15, 2014. She was born in Campbell County, Va., the eldest child of Mary Lou and Bernard Pillow. The Loving home that she took such care to establish left no doubt that her priority was her family. She took joy in the simple things of life and never lost her sense of wonder at the beauty of the natural world. She and her husband lived in New Orleans, La., the Roanoke Valley in Virginia and Brandon Fl. And she enjoyed the variety each location provided, taking special delight in collecting recipes and preparing food specific to different areas of the country she loved. Etta was a devoted animal lover, an affection which was returned by the dachshunds she owned. She was always ready for a card or table game and nearly always won. Her teaching skills were appreciated by the Sunday School classes she taught at Grandin Court Baptist where she also participated in the Senior Adult Choir, and Handbell Choir. The pleasure she found in the arts was evident in her home, as she surrounded herself with paintings that inspired her and classical music. Her deep love for and pride in her children was frequently expressed and always evident in her actions. Surviving are her beloved husband of 66 years, Amos Patrick Duty of Roanoke; children, Greg Duty (Larren) and Cindy English (Randy) of Roanoke, Va. and Vernon Duty (Mary Beth) of Atlanta, Ga.; five grandchildren, Robert Duty (Crystal), Heather Traylor (Evan), Patrick English, Andrew Duty, and Wilson Duty; and four great-grandchildren, Kailin , Memphis, and Lennox Duty, and Brody Traylor. She was preceded in death by her brother Harold Watkins Pillow and her sister, Keturah Pillow Beckley. The family would like to express their profound thanks to the exceptional staff at Park Oak Grove for their loving and supportive care of their mother during the last few years. Visitation will be at Simpson Funeral Home located at 5160 Peters Creek Road, Sunday afternoon from 2-4:30 p.m. A service to celebrate the life of Etta Duty will be held at Grandin Court Baptist Church, in the Chapel, located at 2660 Brambleton Ave, Roanoke, Va. on Monday at 2p.m. Also there will be a graveside service at 11 a.m. on Monday at Sherwood Memorial Park located at 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Va. 24153. Donations in lieu of flowers can be directed to Hope Tree Family Services (formerly Virginia Baptist Children's Home) at www.hopetreefs.org or P.O. Box 849, Salem Va. 24153 or to the Roanoke Valley SPCA, at www.rvspca.org or 1340 Baldwin Ave. NE Roanoke Va. 24013. "Her children rise up and call her blessed." Proverbs 31:28