Linda Duston, lifelong resident of Columbus, entered the Kingdom of Heaven at midday on Thursday, September 25, 2014. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Guntr & Peel Funeral Home. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 30, 2014 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Gunter & Peel Funeral Home. Services will be Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Covenant United Methodist Church with her brother the Rev. James E. "Jim" Lavender, officiating. Interment will follow in Friendship Cemetery. Linda was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Keith Duston; her parents, Mildred Newton Lavender and James Edwin Lavender, her maternal grandparents Herbert John Newton, and Goldie Bunch Newton and her paternal grandparents Ivy M. Lavender and Ada Pennington Lavender. Linda is survived by her two sons, David Wallace Duston (Liudmila) of Frisco, Texas, and James Daniel Duston (Carisa) of Columbus. Linda's two grandchildren are David Nathaniel Duston, and Danica Evelyn Duston. Linda is also survived by her brother, Dr. James E. "Jim" Lavender, Jr. (Avis) of Richmond, Virginia, and niece and nephew, Amy Hope Lavender Earle (George), and James E. "Jim" Lavender III. Her three great nieces are Emily Grace Earle, Allie Joy Earle, and Kinleigh Faith Earle. Linda is also survived by aunts, Mrs. Wilma Pennington of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Mrs. Jean McCreary of Chillicothe, Missouri along with many cousins, friends, and business associates. Linda attended Franklin Academy, Joe Cook Junior High School, and Stephen D. Lee Senior High School, graduating in 1966. Linda was a Library Science graduate of Mississippi University for Women, and held a Master's in Library Science from Peabody University. Linda, with her late husband Richard, were involved in several business and professional interests including Lavender and Son Wholesale Candy Co., The Wedding Bell Catering Co., Warden Carden School, and The Starkville Public School System. Until her health failed, Linda also was known regionally for hand weaving antique cane chairs and furniture, a craft which she learned from her parents. She joined her entire family in a passion for collecting and finishing both Ante-Bellum and Victorian furniture. Linda was a life-long member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Linda was a faithful member of New Covenant United Methodist Church.
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