Sybil Duckett Gamble
January 2, 1917 ~ November 29, 2019
Born in:
Oriental, NC
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
In 1917, the United States entered WW I, the National Hockey League was founded, Woodrow Wilson was inaugurated for his second term, the US mail rate increased to 3 cents, the first woman member of the US House of Representatives was elected in Montana, and New York State gave women the right to vote in state elections.
In Oriental, NC, a more significant event occurred with the birth on January 2, 1917, of Sybil Louise Silverthorn to the late Samuel L. and Hattie Dowty Silverthorn. After almost 103 years, Sybil peacefully passed during the night of November 29, 2019, in Asheville.
Sybil finished high school at the age of 15 and earned her Bachelor’s degree from East Carolina Teacher’s College (ECTC; currently East Carolina University) and her Master’s in Mathematics from Western Carolina University.
She began teaching math and science in 1936 at Barnardsville High School. Over the next 43 years she educated middle and high school students at Flat Creek, Fort Myers, FL, Hall Fletcher, West Buncombe, and Erwin High School. During her summer breaks, she served as a demonstration teacher at WCU’s lab schools in Cullowhee and later taught math extension courses for WCU.
Sybil was married to fellow educator, Randall Duckett, for 48 years until his death in 1988. For the 1955-56 academic year, they each were awarded a Ford Fellowship to study secondary and college education in five states in four regions of the U.S. and to visit national parks and other historic sites. They received additional funding so that their children could be included in their fellowship travels. Sybil’s top honor was being selected the North Carolina Educator of the Year in 1972. She officially retired January 31, 1979, after serving five years as the math coordinator for the Buncombe County School System.
She later married Malcolm Gamble and they spent 30 years together until his death October 19, 2019.
Many know her as Mrs. Duckett or Sybil, others as, Mrs. Gamble. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren call her Mamaw Sybil, and her two children proudly call her Mom. She is survived by her daughter, Laura Duckett (Jim Kangas), Laura’s two children, Kris Newton (Chris Klein), their two sons and Randy Newton (Amber Newton) and their daughter and son; her son, Tom Duckett (Paula Duckett), their two children, Amy Corcell (Mike Corcell) and their two sons and daughter, and Zac Duckett (Annie Duckett) and their son and daughter.
Also surviving her are Mr. Gamble’s children, H.M. “Mickey” Gamble, Jr., Robert Thomas Gamble, and Sue Ellen Gamble Cannon, and eight step-grandchildren.
Mrs. Gamble spent her last five years with an additional and important family, the wonderful, remarkable, professional and caring staff at Arbor Terrace Assisted Living in Asheville. They cannot be thanked enough.
A memorial service to celebrate Sybil’s life will be held on Saturday, December 14, at 4:00 p.m. in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Rev. Nancy Dixon Walton officiating.
The family will receive friends from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m., prior to the service.
Because of how much Sybil and her first husband valued education, The Randall and Sybil Duckett Endowed Scholarship, was created at Western Carolina University in 2017 to benefit both education students and teachers from Buncombe County Schools. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Randall and Sybil Duckett Endowed Scholarship at the Western Carolina University Foundation, 1 University Dr., 201 HF Robinson Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC, 28723, or to http://give.wcu.edu/duckett.
Services
Visitation: December 14, 2019 2:30 pm - April 24, 2025 4:00 pm
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Memorial Service: December 14, 2019 4:00 pm
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
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My husband and I both had her as a teacher at West buncombe.
She taught us well. We wish her family may know how special she was. She and her first husband (Randall Duckett) both taught us.
May God bless her and keep her family.
Elaine
Dear Laura, I am so sorry to learn of your dear Mother’s passing. I have many fond memories of her and the good times we shared at your house. May God comfort you and all the family. Love, Gwen and Marcus
My condolences to your family. I have many fond memories of the years we worked together as math coordinators in Buncombe County. May light perpetual shine on her.
Dear Laura, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your mom. She was a truly wonderful lady and the world has suffered a great loss. I remember her as a great teacher, mother and hostess at pajama parties. Please accept my condolences!
I am so sorry .You all are in my thoughts and prayers. Mrs.Duckett was one of my favorite teachers. She was always so sweet and kind.
Mrs. Duckett’s exemplary teaching skills brought out the best in her students. She certainly left her mark on me…I use her name today as “My Favorite School Teacher” for internet accounts.
All my best to the family…she was a Treasure!
So sorry to hear that our friend, Mrs. Sybil, has passed. She was a special person and teacher to us.
Alma Edwards Rice❤
Amazing life. Almost 103. The changes she witnessed over the years were remarkable. We didn’t know her well, but our son said Miss Sybil made the best scrambled eggs.
My grandmother (“Mamaw”) had an amazing life that left an indelible impression on countless students, friends, and family members.
We will always love you!
Blessings
David
First she became my teacher ( to this day I consider the best teacher, 1954 and 1966, I ever had) then she introduced me to her son, 1965, who remains as my best and dearest friend. She (and Randall and Malcolm and Laura and all the extended family) have felt like my family. I loved that lady! I love the family. Such a grand life for a grand lady even if she did drive like a speed demon!
Aside from my parents almost no one had a more profound impact on my life than Mrs. Duckett. Growing up in her neighborhood was a gift I am forever grateful for…. She was the conscience of little boys but always appreciated our mischief. The world is better for her having passed this way.
” Mrs Duckett ” as I called her, was full of life and funny stories. My fondest memory will always be watching her dance with Malcome at our 40th class reunion. She was a special Lady!!
Deepest Sympathy, Love, and Prayers to Tommy, Paula, and Family
Sandra Jones Lee Mobile, Al.
Sybil and Randall Duckett were my neighbors while I was growing up in the fifties in Asheville. I especially remember the movies that the Ducketts showed through a projector on the side of their white house in our neighborhood. We children were invited to join their students for viewing. Much love to Laura Jean and Tommy. Your parents made me want to be a teacher. Wonderful people and a positive influence.
Growing up across the street from the Duckett’s was a blessing for which I will be forever grateful. Sybil and Randall let us be kids, while expecting much from us as they taught us at every turn. I started First Grade reading on a third grade level thanks to Sybil’s “fun and games” teaching.
Laura and Tommy were my and my brother Steve’s best friends for many years. Thank you for sharing your parents, your family, with us. It was always an adventure of the best kind.
Time and the years have flown by, and thankfully the good memories remain in my mind and my heart.
The Bridges family and the Duckett family were friends prior to WW 2. When Randal went into service, my father Gardner became boys and girls coach for five years at West Buncombe High School. When I was in seventh grade, Mrs. Duckett and my sister taught eighth grade and they had the privilege of witnessing a spanking by my seventh grade teacher. Later Sibyl and Randall taught me at Erwin High School . Jewel taught for many years with Sibyl and had the experience of having Tommy in class her first year of teaching. When we catered at Brigadoon, she always had something to give us, pictures, ect. The last time we had the privilege of visiting her at Arbor Terrace she showed us all her memorabilia. We will surely miss her and her contribution to education.
What a life! I’m sorry we will be unable to attend the service; I will be in Fl.
Thinking of all of you and reminiscing.
Lee Roy and Linda Briggs
Dear Laura and Tom, friends and neighbors from long ago, when we all lived on Louisiana Ave. and Pruitt St; Laura was our baby sitter and we watched Tommy walk by with the Kirby (?) boys on their way to school. If I had only known that Sybil was just down the road at Arbor Terrace, I would certainly have been there to visit her, for I now live at Givens. Cecil and I moved here in 2010, but Cecil passed away in 2017. I have often thought about your mother but did not know how to find her. I’m so sorry that the opportunity to see her was missed. She taught me what “paying it forward” means. I will continue to think about you and your families, especially this coming Saturday. Warmest wishes, Ellen Myrick
I have never known a Sybil before or after. She is the one and only. What an exemplary life she led. Such an epic lady !!!
I have never known a Sybil before or after her. She is the one and only. What an exemplary life she led. Such an epic lady.
Mrs. Duckett/Gamble “Sybil” looked after her chicks from the first day she knew us until she moved to Arbor Terrace. I was lucky enough to be in her 8th grade class. She taught me to value education and respect other people. When she and Randall were on the Ford Fellowship she visited me in class at Durham High School. I think she put in a good word for me to my teachers. When I moved to Brigadoon, she again took me under her wing and introduced me to all the other residents. She and Malcolm would invite me over to watch the basketball games on their 51 inch TV. She made a difference in my life and I love her. I’m proud to be called “one of her chicks”.
Sybil was a wonderful neighbor and friend. She loved to share stories about her travels and all the things she had seen and done. We discovered that she had taught several of the residents of our senior community. She loved our little dog, Maggie, except for the day Maggie licked her on the mouth. I bought her a mug that read “Dog can’t hold its licker” and she loved it. My mother was her front door neighbor and they became good friends.
I am so sorry we can’t be at her service but I am hosting my SS Class party at the clubhouse. We will always remember her fondly.
What a wonderful long life she lived. We didn’t meet her until we moved to Brigadoon and we soon learned that she taught several of the residents in our senior community. She shared great memories of her travels and experiences. I envied all the life experiences she had. She loved our little dog, Maggie, except for the day Maggie licked her on the mouth! I bought her a mug that said “Dog can’t hold its licker” and she loved it. We are so sorry we can’t be at her service, we are hosting our SS Class party at the clubhouse. She will be remembered fondly.
What a great life. What a great teacher. You always felt that Mrs Duckett cared about you.
We are thinking about you at this time. It’s never easy to lose a parent and we are praying that you have peace. Love, Stewart Keyes and Leigh Youngblood