Dr. Clarence Duncan’s 90th birthday is celebrated along with his 40th year at the church

Jane and Clarence Duncan are pictured in this circa 1952 photo, and they’ve devoted their lives to serving others in a 62 year ministry. Below is a photo WLAF’s Charlie Hutson snapped on Saturday.

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- “It’s been a journey, moving and all,” said Jane Duncan, wife of Bethel Baptist Church Pastor Dr. Clarence Duncan. She and Clarence have been married for 72 years, and she’s been a pastor’s wife for 62 of those years, serving as the foundation for her husband’s success and longevity. Since Clarence was called into the ministry, the couple has lived at Jellico, White Oak, Jacksboro, La Follette, Valley Creek, Clinton and Kingston in Tennessee. Out of state, they have lived and served in London, Kentucky, as well as in Georgia at Dalton and Woodstock.

WLAF’s Charlie Hutson shares his photo gallery HERE.

Cut the cake, Papaw! “Clarence never thought much about his birthday until he started having all these parties thrown for him as he’s become older,” said Jane Duncan.

He turned 90 last week and was celebrated on Saturday along with marking the couples 40th year at Bethel.

The couple married as teenagers and raised seven children.  They met in church and were married in that same church, Pleasant View Baptist Church on Black Oak Ridge in Anderson County, in 1952.

When asked what has carried him all these years, Duncan quickly responded, “Oh, the love of the Lord and my precious wife.  She’s the best.”

Clarence is from Clinchmore while Jane hails from Clinton, and early in their marriage, Clarence went to work in the mines and they, along with their one year old baby, moved to White Oak. “I was the next to oldest of eight children, and all I’ve ever done is take care of kids,” said Jane.

A healthy crowd came out to honor Dr. and Mrs. Clarence Duncan.

Miss Jane or Janie, as Dr. Duncan calls her, along with Clarence, raised seven children and a grandson. In all, the couple has 14 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and three great, great grandkids. “We’ve got an army,” laughed Jane.

On Saturday at the church’s fellowship hall, there were smiles, handshakes and hugs all around along with a few moist eyes. Folks came from near and far to celebrate with the Duncans. Teresa Harvey was there. “He was my pastor at Salem Baptist Church which is below Midway in Roane County,” said Harvey.

Teresa Harvey , left, was greeted by Jane Duncan at Saturday’s celebration. Harvey has known the Duncans since the 1960s.

Tim Mefford has attended Bethel Baptist Church since 1973. He and his wife, Carrie Martin Mefford, began dating in 1986 and were married at the church by Dr. Duncan in 1987. All three of their children were raised in that church.

Carrie Mefford praised the Duncans, especially, Miss Jane. “She’s the boss,” said Carrie. “Don’t tell Clarence,” said Miss Jane as the two women laughed.

Jane Duncan, left, and Clarence Duncan, right, have been sharing their ministry since the early 1960s.

Here’s Duncan by the numbers:

90 years of living

62 years in the ministry

6 years as pastor of three different churches

40 years as pastor of Bethel Baptist Church at Jacksboro

39 years on the radio six days a week with more than 12,000 broadcasts

32 years on WLAF-TV 1089 two times each Sunday totaling more than 3,000 telecasts

9 years in children’s ministry

7 years of prison ministry

One of Duncan’s grandsons hugs his papaw.

The couple married as teenagers.  They met in church and were married in that same church, Pleasant View Baptist Church on Black Oak Ridge in Anderson County, in 1952.

“We took lots of trips with our children. He was always a good daddy, and helped with our children,” said Janie.

When asked what has carried him all these years, Duncan quickly responded, “Oh, the love of the Lord and my precious wife.  She’s the best.”

Duncan served as pastor at Bethel Baptist Church in the early years of the church in the early 1960s. “Our baby, Wesley “Chief” Duncan was five months old. He’s a pastor now at Roane Mountain. We stayed her about a year that time,” said Jane.

The personable Duncan made the rounds throughout the fellowship hall visiting with old friends.

In 1984, the Duncans were on their way to Florida when Clarence received a phone call from Bethel Baptist Church. Clarence never called them back. “You should at least call them,” said Janie. Dr. Duncan called the church and felt it was the Lord’s will to answer his second call to the church that sits atop Hatmaker Ridge.

He told the church. “I’m selling my home in Dalton, Georgia, to make my home here, and I’ll be here until one of us dies.”

“When we moved to our current home in La Follette a few years ago, I said that this is my last move. I’m not moving again. My next stop will be heaven,” said Jane. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-07/29/2024-6AM)

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