Katherine Mantz Duncan

Katherine Mantz Duncan peacefully departed this life on Friday, March 21, 2025. She was the loving wife of 68 years to the late Riner Davis Duncan, Jr.

Katherine is survived by her three children, Katie Popek and husband Phillip of Motley, Victoria Trent and husband Steve, and Riner Duncan, Ill all of Lynchburg, as well as her brother Phillip Mantz and his wife Barbara, of Burlington, NC. She is additionally survived by her grandchildren, Sarah Jones and husband Ben, Laura Poindexter and husband Cedric Simon, Emily O'Hare and husband Patrick, Morgan Popek and wife Paige, Cameron Duncan, Hannah Duncan, and great-grandchildren, Addison Pruit, Andrew Morrison, Riley Morrison and Wyatt Morrison. She was very much looking forward to meeting two more great-grandchildren in May of this year. In addition to her husband, she was also proceeded in death by her parents, Russell Mantz, Sr. and Helen Boyd Mantz, and her brother Russel Mantz, Jr.

Although Katherine was born in Havaco, WVA, January 25, 1934, while still a toddler her family moved back to Radford, Va, where she grew up. She was a 1952 Graduate of Radford High School. She sang in the high school chorus and was a soloist at many school and church events. She went on to earn a degree in Home Economics from Virginia Tech. In 1958 she and Riner relocated to Lynchburg where they raised their family and spent the remainder of their years.

Katherine was known for her many talents ranging from needle work and sewing to various arts and crafts. There were many garments made for herself, her daughters and granddaughters. These included school clothes, formal dresses for high school and college events, bridesmaids and flower girl dresses. She altered many purchased jeweled and sequined gowns and dresses, as her love for glitter and rhinestones was passed down to some of her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed creating many home decor items. Her art and craft abilities were endless. She could recreate almost anything from a picture in a book or magazine. She is best known for her decorative eggshell creations, mainly consisting of Christmas Ornaments. She sold her eggs for many years at various art shows throughout Virginia, including an annual art event held at Virginia Tech, where so many people regularly sought her out to add to their collections.

As a dedicated member of Forest Road United Methodist Church, she served on many committees and supported multiple fundraisers. She taught Sunday school and took her turn in the nursery. Katherine was the creator and main performer for the puppet ministry.

For countless years she decorated the sanctuary for Christmas, adorned many Christmas trees in the fellowship hall and organized the annual children's Christmas party. The Christmas party always included a handmade gift for each child filled with an abundance of treats. She held the annual Easter Egg Hunt, which included egg coloring and a craft project for the children in addition to the egg hunting and refreshments. She served as a leader for Vacation Bible School for multiple years.

Katherine was devoted to her husband and family. She found great joy in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always available to provide babysitting services before and after school and during summer vacation. One of her granddaughters is very quick to say, "I grew up in the back seat of my Grandparent's Bonneville." All the grandchildren are left with a great number of memories of adventures and times spent with Grandmother and Granddaddy. Favorite treats were kept on hand, as well as more arts and craft projects than they could have ever imagined. She often entertained them with songs and stories. She was successful in passing along many of her talents to them.

A service will be held to honor the life of Katherine on March 31, at 11:00 a.m., at Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Breezewood Drive, Lynchburg. Visitation with the family will take place during the hour preceding the service. The internment will be held at Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery, Dublin, Virginia at 3:00. Katherine will be laid to rest with her dearly beloved husband, Riner.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations be given in his honor to Forest Road United Methodist Church in Lynchburg.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.