1.MaeShulerDuncan1, born 10 Jan 1897 in Narrows, Giles Co., VA2; died 01 Nov 1990 in Rose Hill Rest Home, Berryville, Clarke Co., VA3. She was the daughter of 2. ErastusAlexanderDuncan and 3. GertrudeLinnea 'Gerty'Hale. She married (1) RyburnAlexanderKeesling 22 Nov 1916 in Washington, D. C.. He was born 25 Sep 1894 in Rye Valley, Smyth Co., VA, and died 02 Jun 1989 in Winchester, Frederick Co., VA4.
Notes for Mae Shuler Duncan:
She was a terrific Grandmother, wonderful cook, and a loving and devoted wife to my Grandfather. She loved spoiling and feeding her three grandsons, of which I personally loved every minute of.
Their last home on Front Royal Road, was a restored school house, which was part of the Duncan farm. They bought the house and property from my Grandmother's youngest sister, Ruth Duncan Grim. My Grandfather had a wing and basement added to the old school building. The "Erastus Duncan farm" in Frederick County, Virginia was sold off and finally became the Shenandoah Memorial Gardens Cemetery, were the famous county singer, Patsy Cline is buried. In a strange and quiet way, my Grandparents had Patsy Cline for a neighbor.
Ryburn and Mae resided alone, taking care of their flower and vegetable gardens together until 1989. It saddens me to record that Ryburn Alexander Keesling died in his sleep, in his own bed, beside his loving wife of 72 years and 6 months on 2 June 1989. He died 115 days short of his 95th birthday. Mae Shuler Duncan Keesling died 17 months later on 1 November 1990 at the Rose Hill Rest Home, Berryville, Va. She passed away 70 days shy of her 94th birthday. They both rest together in the Keesling Family plot at Hillsboro Cemetery, Hillsboro,Loudoun Co.,Va.
They received letters of congratulations and admiration from the President of the United States, Ronald Reagan and Sen. Harry Byrd on their 65th wedding anniversary. They were congratulated by Paul Harvey on his nation wide radio broadcast on November 22, 1988, their 72th wedding anniversary. They received a congressional letter from Virginia Sen. John Warner (ex-husband of actress Elizabeth Taylor) in 1988, also.
More About Mae Shuler Duncan:
Bapt.: Methodist
Burial: 04 Nov 1990, Hillsboro Memorial Cemetery, Hillsboro, Loudoun, VA5
Cause of Death: Recurrent cerebral thrombosis and arteriosclerotic cardiovascul
Occupation: Homemaker and loving Grandmother.
Notes for Ryburn Alexander Keesling:
Ryburn was born to Elbert and Florence Scott Keesling in the Rye Valley, at his grandparents Scott's home. He was raised and spent his younger days on his father's farm in Cedar Springs,Smyth Co.,Va. He was fourteen years old when his family moved north to Loudoun County, Virginia.
He was christened in the Fairview Church at Rural Retreat, in the Methodist faith, a faith that remained strong in him to the day he passed away. While farming and residing in Loudoun County, he was a faithful member and Sunday School Superintendent for many years at the Purcellville Bethel Methodist Church. Even in his early 90's, he was still active and respected in the Kernstown United Methodist Church.
Following in the family tradition, he was a farmer for most of his adult life. He was also a very accomplished carpenter and worked in his later years, for his brother-in-laws and son, at Duncan Brothers Tire Company in Winchester, Va. He sold his last farm, on Rt. 522 East, outside of Winchester,Frederick Co.,Va., on 9 November 1965, while I was serving in the U. S. Navy Submarine Service in the Tonkin Gulf of Vietnam. They moved down the road about one mile, to the home he and my Grandmother resided in to the end of their days.
More About Ryburn Alexander Keesling:
Baptismal: Methodist
Burial: 05 Jun 1989, Hillsboro Memorial Cemetery, Hillsboro, Loudoun, VA
Cause of Death: Arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Occupation: Farmer and construction carpenter
Resided: Front Royal Pike, Frederick Co., VA.
