PLYMOUTH, N.C.— Mrs. Elsie Virginia Carr Duke, 88, of 123 Hazel St., Plymouth, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Oct. 4, 2019, at Vidant Inpatient Hospice in Greenville, North Carolina, after a brief illness.

She was a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She was most affectionately known to many as “Nana.” She was a kind and gentle woman and always put the needs of others first.

She was a member of First Baptist Church in Plymouth, and was a devoted member of the Laura McNair Circle.

Elsie was born in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, on June 27, 1931. She was the daughter of William H. and Elsie Virginia Spivey Carr.

She was the beloved wife of Joseph Matthew Duke Sr., marrying on Nov. 22, 1953. They celebrated 60 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on Feb. 2, 2014.

Left to cherish her memory are two sons and their spouses, Joseph Matthew Duke Jr. and wife, Lisa of Bath, North Carolina; and Thomas Lee Duke and wife, Kim of Holly Springs, North Carolina; five grandchildren, Meredith Christian Duke of Bath; Jacob Lee Duke and wife, Kaitlyn of Williamston, North Carolina; Cameron Lee Duke, Brandon Thomas Duke, and Joshua Lane Duke of Holly Springs; and two great-grandsons, Tucker Lane Mobley and Tanner Lee Mobley of Bath.

Otherwise known as “Sister” by her family in Virginia, Elsie also leaves behind two sisters, Mary Butler and husband, Robert of Carrsville, Virginia; Frances Petitt of Suffolk, Virginia; and two brothers, James T. Carr of Windsor, Virginia; and John E. Carr and wife, Mae of Washington, North Carolina; sister-in-law, Patricia K. Carr of Zuni, Virginia; and numerous nieces and nephews, each one was special to her.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, William H. Carr Jr., sister-in-law, Margaret F. Carr; and brother-in-law, Jack Petitt.

The following will serve as pallbearers: grandsons, Jacob, Cameron, Brandon and Joshua Duke; and nephews, Travis Bracey, H.J. Petitt, Phillip Carr, Robbie Butler and Johnny Carr.

The funeral will be on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 2 p.m., in the First Baptist Church in Plymouth, conducted by the Rev. Jimmy Hagwood. Burial will follow in Hillside Memorial Gardens, Plymouth.

The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service at the church, and at other times at the home.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, 309 Washington St., Plymouth, NC, 27962; or The Service League of Greenville Inpatient Hospice, 920 Wellness Drive, Greenville, NC 27834.

Condolences may be addressed to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Duke family.