Brenda "Cotton" Messer Duncan

Brenda "Cotton" Messer Duncan, age 77, of Burns, Tennessee, formerly of Corbin, Kentucky, passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Nashville, TN.

She was born on February 15, 1949, in Whitley County, Kentucky, a daughter of the late Delbert "Tip" Messer and Sylvia Faddis Messer.

Brenda's life was a testament to her sheer power of love and devotion. She was a devoted member of Piney Grove Baptist Church in Corbin, KY, where her faith was not only a source of personal strength but also a testament of God's love to others. She dedicated over 40 years of her life to serving the community through her work as a Customer Service Representative at Whitaker Bank in Corbin, KY,

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Johnny Duncan in 2016; and by her sisters, Linda Houser and Joyce "Ann" Thorpe

Brenda is survived by her daughter, Emilie Bray and husband Jeff; grandsons, Spencer Bray and Tanner Bray and wife Sarai; great grandson, John Michael Bray; and by her siblings, Delbert Messer Jr., Wes Messer and wife Mickey, Pauline "Polly" Worley, Edith "Pat" Butler, and Barbara White and husband Joe; and by numerous nieces, nephews, family, and many friends who mourn her passing by celebrating her life.

Private burial will take place in Red Hill Cemetery in Powell Valley, Tennessee, next to her husband.

Arrangements by Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home, where messages may be written to the family at vankirkgrisellfuneralhome.com