Betty Lou Duck Bailey

Franklin – Betty Lou Duck Bailey, 79, passed away September 8, 2026 in Maryview Medical Center, with her family by her side. Born in Suffolk and raised in the Carrsville area of Isle of Wight County, she was a daughter of the late Linwood H. “Monk” Duck and Shirley Mae Babb Duck. She was also predeceased by two brothers, Linwood H. “Tom” Duck, Jr. and Joseph Bennett; a daughter-in-law Alnee Rae Baldwin Bailey; and brother-in-law, William Rae Duck.

Betty graduated from Windsor High School in 1966. She worked for the Southampton County Schools for 32 years, retiring as cafeteria manager at Nottoway Elementary.

Betty loved her community and volunteered for many organizations over the years, one of her favorites being the Southampton County Historical Society and Museum. She assisted the Courtland Volunteer Fire Department and Courtland Volunteer Rescue Squad with many events and fundraisers. She was the unofficial Den Mother to the Courtland Masonic Lodge, never missing an opportunity to help with a pancake breakfast or selling fundraising tickets. She was strong in her faith and served several positions with Sunbeam Baptist Church, including clerk and deacon.

Betty is survived by her two sons, Douglas G. Bailey, Jr. (Linda) and Linwood “Andy” Bailey (Ariel); a sister, Mary Bertha Duck; and a brother, Stephen Babb Duck (Nancy). She was a proud grandmother to Samantha Sawyer (Richard), Douglas G. Bailey, III, and Christopher Bailey (Kali); and great-grandmother to Richard Sawyer, Jr., Trevor Sawyer, Meredith Sawyer, and Jamie Bailey.

The family would like to thank her long-time home health aide and friend, Tonia Wright, for her love and dedication to Betty over the years. Her efforts kept Betty independent and comfortable, improving every aspect of her life.

To celebrate Betty’s life, a visitation will be at Wright Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 16th from 6 to 8pm. Interment of her ashes will be held privately at Poplar Spring Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make donations of your time or money to the community groups that mean the most to you. Betty lived her life in service to her family and community, and her family wishes that spirit to live on in us all.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org