Jo Nell Duda

Jo Nell Proctor Duda passed away on March 17, 2025. She was born in Eagle Pass, Texas, on December 1, 1931, the daughter of Archie Elton Proctor and Esther Rowland Proctor. Both parents were fourth generation Texans. Since her father was a Border Patrol officer, the family transferred many times before settling in Miami, Florida.

Jo Nell graduated first in her class from Miami Edison High School in 1949. It was there she met the love of her life, Alfred “Fred” Duda, whom she married in 1954. She attended Florida State University and graduated cum laude in 1953. While at Florida State Jo Nell was a member of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity, Secretary and Vice President of the Student Government Association, and President of Garnet Key, a women’s leadership organization. Her senior year she was named to the FSU Hall of Fame and listed in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.

After college Jo Nell taught at Miami Shores Elementary School; in Georgia while Fred completed his senior year at Emory University dental school in Atlanta; and in San Antonio, Texas, while her husband served as a dental officer in the United States Air Force. She loved the teaching profession, especially when she was able to teach American History. However, she found the most satisfaction in their family life which included two sons, John Proctor Duda and Scott Stuart Duda, and in their affiliation with Hollywood Hills United Methodist Church. Jo Nell has been a lifelong Methodist; she and Fred joined the Hollywood church in 1961; and their sons became membes when they were 12 years old.

Jo Nell is survived by her son John Proctor Duda and wife Tara Regan Duda, beloved granddaughter Elizabeth Duda Robuck and husband Mike Robuck, and grandson Justin Alfred Duda. Sadly, Dr. Duda, her husband of 65 years, passed away in 2019. Also, preceding her in death were her son Scott in 2006 and her sister Blaine Proctor Patino, in 2017. She has 2 great grandchildren, Nathaniel and Leonora.

A Memorial Service will be held on April 5th at 11:00am in Hollywood Hills United Methodist Church, 400 North 35th Avenue, Hollywood, FL 33021, phone 954-989-8304. Friends and family will gather after the service in the church’s Great Hall. 

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to Hollywood Hills United Methodist Church for the Helping Souls Ministry food bank.