Betty Nelle Duke

Betty Nelle Duke, 90, of Kingsport, Tennessee, passed away on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Kingsport. She was born on September 18, 1935, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, to Elizabeth Jones Teter and Henry Clay Chambers.

A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Betty Nelle’s life was marked by devotion to family and service to her community. She is survived by her brother, Bud Chambers; her sister-in-law, Suzy Orebaugh; her daughters, Cindy Collins (Brad) and Connie Tumlin (Matt); her son-in-law, Greg Marcum; her grandchildren, Allison Coppage (Ben), Colton Marcum (Catherine), Charlie Collins, Holly Smalley (Jeremy), Hannah Blackwell (Brad), Duke Tumlin (Abbi), Emily Kulze (Frazier), Ford Collins (Danielle), and Anne Tumlin; and her beloved great-grandchildren, Charlsie, Colt, Bo, Nate, Molly, Russell, Matthew, Jason, Jack, Luke, Harris, Bette, Baker, Reed, Nora, Greer, Tripp, and Keaton.

She was preceded in death by her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, her husband of 57 years, Charles “Boots” Duke; her daughter, Laura Duke Marcum; and her parents, Elizabeth Jones Teter and Henry Clay Chambers.

Betty Nelle was deeply committed to the Kingsport community. She was a lifetime member of the Junior League of Kingsport and enjoyed serving with the Women’s Symphony, including through leadership roles. As alumni, she and Boots were avid supporters of Dobyns Bennett High School and always loved being a part of Friday Night Lights. Her community involvement reflected the same qualities she brought to her family: care, energy, and generosity.

Throughout her life, Betty Nelle spent much of her time building community in some of her favorite places. She fostered community by gathering to play bridge for over fifty years with women who were lifelong friends. Family traditions were created by gathering fireside at Bear Den, ghost crab hunting at Litchfield Beach, and hosting “Camp Grandmother.” She sought retreats to the Florida Keys where she delightfully outfished her crew. When she was not surrounded by her loved ones, she was greeted by a friendly visitor as she watched the sunset on the activity at the beach.

Betty Nelle will be remembered for many things: her lifelong love of sports, her role as the family’s trusted “weather bug,” her affection for all things pink and flamingos, and her ability to stay connected to every generation of her family. These details were part of what made her so wonderfully herself.

Her family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff and caregivers at Preston Place in Kingsport, Tennessee, for their care, compassion, and support.

Memorial may be made to First Presbyterian Church.