ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Graveside services for Royce Duncan, volunteer with the George P. Thames Senior Center and husband of senior center director Sarah Duncan, will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 16 at the Greenwood Cemetery in Loxley.

Duncan, a big-rig driver, was killed on his way home in the early morning hours on Thursday, Nov. 12, when his truck left the highway after encountering a herd of cattle on U.S. Highway 49 in Mount Olive, Mississippi, located north of Hattiesburg, according to an official with the Mississippi Highway Patrol. He was 57.

 “This is just something that shouldn’t happen, but it does,” said Robertsdale Mayor Charles Murphy. “Our prayers and best wishes go out to Sarah and the girls and the rest of his family for their loss at this time.”

The truck left the highway into a deep ravine and overturned, said Mississippi Trooper Renard Harper, pinning Duncan inside.

It took several minutes to get Duncan out of the vehicle, Harper said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A native and resident of Loxley, Duncan was a member of the First Baptist Church in Silverhill, played golf and liked to fish.

He was preceded in death by his father, SFC James H. Duncan and his survived by Sarah, his wife of 32 years, along with two daughters, Olivia Campbell of Loxley, Verona Campbell of Columbus, Georgia; his mother, Bessie Duncan of Loxley; a sister, Denita Yates of Jacksonville, Florida; brother, Ren Duncan of Loxley; one grandchild, several nieces and nephews.

Murphy described Duncan as a caring individual who was always willing to help others.

“This is truly a devastating loss for our community,” Murphy said. “He was an extremely fine person, well-liked in the community. When you met him, he always had a smile on his face and he was always willing to help others in need.”

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15 at Mack Funeral Home in Robertsdale. The family requests memorial donations be made to the George P. Thames Senior Center, P.O. Box 429, Robertsdale, AL 36567; or to Easter Seals, 2440 Gordon Smith Drive, Mobile, AL 36617.

Arrangements are by Mack Funeral Home, Robertsdale. For more information visit mackfuneral.com.