Elizabeth (Betty) May Karcher McDuffie

Elizabeth (Betty) May Karcher McDuffie, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on July 20, 2025, at the age of 90. She was a vibrant and compassionate soul who touched the lives of everyone she met.

Arrangements for the Visitation, Funeral Mass, Burial and Reception:

The visitation and funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas by the Sea Catholic Church in Orange Beach, Alabama on Thursday, July 24, 2025, visitation will begin at 1:00 pm and ending at 2:00 pm with the Holy Mass beginning at 2:30, the grave side burial will be held at the Bear Point Cemetery. The reception will be held at Cusack Hall at St. Thomas by the Sea following the burial.

Betty was born in Evansville, Indiana, grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, moved south to Hattiesburg, Mississippi when she was 13, then to Mobile when she was 16 years of age. Betty attended Murphy High School where she enjoyed her art courses, working on the MOHIAN school paper, and playing the flute in the band. She attended Auburn University where she also played the flute in the marching band. After marrying, she and Carl moved to Bear Point, Alabama to start a charter fishing business and raise their family. She was a talented artist and continued to paint throughout her life. She loved horses and always wanted one as a child.

Betty fulfilled her dream of owning and showing horses, and passed her love of them to her daughters and several of her grandchildren. Tennis became a passion for Betty in her later years where she was a fierce competitor, she enjoyed playing with her Super Seniors Team in the USTA championships around the southeastern part of the US.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 29 years, Captain Carl Winston McDuffie, and her parents, Dorothy and Edmund Karcher, and brother, Bob Karcher.

Betty was a devout Catholic, one of her greatest accomplishments was the passing of her strong Christian faith to her family. Betty was a long-time parishioner of St. Thomas by the Sea Catholic Church in Orange Beach where she served as an Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Eucharist. Betty was a member of Daughter’s of Mary and St. Teresa of Calcutta Small Christian Community and attended daily Mass.

She is survived by her children, Sheryl McDuffie Jones and Sheri’s husband, Jimmy Jones of Greenville, Alabama, Captain Ricky McDuffie and his wife, Eva Workman McDuffie of Orange Beach, Alabama, Lynn McDuffie Hodges of Summerdale, Alabama. Betty’s grandchildren are, Ty Jones, Adam and Alex McDuffie, Reed, Carli and Blake Hodges, her great grandchildren are Mary Katherine, Bryson and Ellie Jones, Cameron, Grayson, Halston, Finn and Easton McDuffie.

Betty will be greatly missed by her family and many friends, but the example of how she lived her life will live on forever in each of us.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude Children Research Hospital, reflecting Betty’s spirit of generosity.

To donate by phone: 800-805-5856 or to donate online or by mail you can find this information on their website at stjude.org

ARRANGEMENTS BY
WOLFE-BAYVIEW
FUNERAL HOMES
& CREMATORY, INC.
2103 W. 1st STREET
GULF SHORES, AL 36542
(251) 405-2601
www.wolfefuneralhomes.com