Mildred Smith-Duncan

Mildred Lee Smith Duncan was born January 19, 1936, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. She was the oldest child of ve children born to the late Booker Squire Smith and Pearl Lee Works-Smith. She received a great education in the Pine Bluff School District. She attended Missouri Street Elementary School and received her High School Diploma from Merrill High School in 1954. She received a B.S. Degree in Business Education in 1958 from Arkansas AM&N College (University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff). She was proud to tell everyone that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was her Commencement Speaker in 1958 and how amazing it was too be a part of that historical moment. She later received a Master of Science Degree from Chicago State University.

She is preceded in death by her parents Booker and Pearl Smith, her husband Hansel McKinley Duncan, her sister Virgie Mae Smith-Harrison, her Brother Maurice Smith (Cherry) and nephew Dexter Daniel Harrison (Mary).

She and her siblings grew up in a Christian Home. They received their early religious education at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Pine Bluff and in her home.

Her father Deacon Booker Squire Smith taught Bible Study in their home and encouraged many young people to confess a hope in Christ. He stressed the fth commandment that the Lord gave through the prophet Moses: "Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." Exodus 20:12 Education was very important in the Smith home. Her mother, Pearl Lee Smith, insisted that after high school, Mildred should enroll in AM&N College and obtain a college degree. Being obedient, she did that and more!

She set a precedent for her sisters. Virgie and Mattie followed her by majoring in Education and becoming teachers. Her brother Maurice became a Chicago Postal Employee and her brother R.B. worked for the Cotton Belt Railroad in Pine Bluff.

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"It does take a village to raise a child"- Mildred and her sibling's village consisted of their late grandparents Joseph

Works & Mattie Huston Works, aunties the late Lucile Williams, Mary Works (Aunt Lady) and Ann Works of Tarry Arkansas and the late Minnie Ethel Smith Jones and son the late Squire Melvin Pettis of Chicago, her late uncles Robert Works (Uncle Fellow), Arthur Works and James (Bish) Williams of Tarry, Arkansas and dear cousins the late Sally Pitts and Scott Bond of Madison, Arkansas and many neighbors and friends who were given permission to correct any behavior that did not represent the Smith Family values at 819 East 18th Street in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

After graduating from AM&N College, Mildred began her career as a Business Education teacher at Coleman High School in Pine Bluff. She always spoke very highly of her students and truly enjoyed them. After a few years, she was hired to teach Business at Wonder High School in West Memphis, Arkansas. She loved those students also.

Her middle sister and BEST Friend Virgie, moved to Chicago and encouraged Mildred to join her and teach there. Both Mildred and Virgie lived with our amazing cousins, the Johnson family which consisted of the late Montriville Johnson and wife the late Alice Johnson, and their daughters, cousins Manzella and Marcia who still reside in Chicago today. The Johnson family always kept their welcoming doors open to family. Later, both she and Virgie encouraged their brother Maurice to move to Chicago, and of course he did. While in Chicago in the late 1960's & 1970's Mildred taught Business at Martin Luther King High School and at Forestville North. She always spoke well of the students, and they spoke well of her. She was a proud member of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and participated in teacher boycotts to demand better pay and working conditions for teachers and to ensure a better education for students. As a proud graduate of AM&N College now UAPB and was a member of the Heritage Club Annual Fund Drive 1995-1996. You can see her name on a brick in front of the Bell Tower on the campus of UAPB.

She married the late Hansel McKinley Duncan in 1966 and from this union, two sons were born: Wayne Raynard Duncan in October of 1966 and Anthony Aaron Duncan in September of 1973. She also helped to raise four “bonus children,” Linda Duncan-Stigler, Marlene Duncan, Warren Duncan and the late Hansel Duncan Jr., In Chicago, she and her family were members of St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Mildred and her family left Chicago in 1979 and moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where Hansel was an Air Traffic Controller at Will Rogers World Airport and the first African American Instructor at the Air Traffic Controller Training Academy.

Being an outstanding educator, the Oklahoma City Public School District was excited to hire Mildred. She taught Business at Northeast High School until she retired in 1998. She always loved her students and they loved her back. Mildred taught for 40 fabulous years. She was a member of the Oklahoma City American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

She and her family joined Avery Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church where she was a proud member of the Stewardess Board. She attended regularly until her health declined and COVID set in. She often spoke of how she enjoyed the church services at Avery and spoke highly of Pastor Shafah who is presently the leader of the congregation. She also spoke highly of her church members!!

Mildred was a “Master Bridge Player” and belonged to several Bridge Clubs. She was also a “Master Chess Player.” Both she and her late husband, Hansel, enjoyed playing chess competing at home. Because of her sharp mind and ability to think on a higher level, she won most of the games.

Mildred was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, auntie and cousin. She was a real homemaker and an awesome cook. Her pound cakes and homemade rolls melted in your mouth. No, you couldn’t eat just one. She shared recipes of her fine cooking with everyone.

She was very business minded and kept immaculate and well documented records. She enjoyed being around family and friends. She was kindhearted and had a beautiful spirit. She hosted two Smith/Works Reunions in Oklahoma City and they were both wonderful. She never missed a reunion and expressed why it was important to keep the family together. She loved to laugh (sometimes tried to tell a joke), always kept a smile, and loved helping others. She also loved to travel. Her real adventure was the Alaskan Cruise, she and her sister Mattie had fun shopping for her wardrobe.

When she returned from the trip she said, “the food was good, and it was fun, but I couldn’t wait to get home.”

On Monday, July 25, 2022, Mildred transitioned peacefully to her eternal rest. She is preceded in death by: her husband, Hansel M. Duncan, Sr.; two siblings, Virgie Mae Smith-Harrison (Sister) and Maurice Smith (Brother); a special nephew, Dexter Daniel Harrison, Jr.; and a special cousin, the late Algurie Williams Price.

She leaves her two sons, Wayne Raynard (Kamber) Duncan and Anthony Aaron (Tamisha) Duncan to cherish and honor her memory, along with: five granddaughters, Rashanna Duncan of Pensacola, Florida, Alexus Duncan, Ashley Duncan, Asia Duncan of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Jenayne Duncan of Fort Irwin, California; five grandsons, Wayne R. Duncan, Jr., Anthony Aaron Duncan, Jr., Xaiden Duncan, Dexdon Duncan and Treyse Duncan of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; two greatgrandsons: Kaiden Miller of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Kylan Turner of Pensacola, Floriada; three greatgranddaughters: Keyanna Phillips of Pensacola, Floriada, Zanyla Duncan and Kamiyah Miller of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; one sister, Mattie P. (Kenneth) Collins; one brother, Ray B. (Pearlie) Smith of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; a host of special nieces: Debra A. Smith, Rosalind (Lawrence) Smith-Davis, Rayshana (Tony) CollinsAdams, Mary Harrison (the late Dexter Daniel Harris, Jr.) and Lawanda Lewis; a special nephew, Dr. Kenneth R. (Deidrea) Collins II; special grand-nieces: Brittney Ammons, Branddi Ammons, Dena (Tyler) Hausladens, Deirdre (Spencer) Caouette, Darla Harrison, Tabitha Dobie, and Shana Dobie; special great-grand-nieces: Cydni R. Adams, Ciarra C. Collins, Kennedy R. Collins, Camryn C. Collins, Kori M. Collins and Gabrielle R. Davis; special grand-nephews: Anthony R. Adams, Kenneth R. Collins III, Dexter D. Harrison III, and Donovan Harrison; special great-grand-nieces: Brensly Bronson, Bre’ly Bronson, Khiara Thomas, Alice Hausladen, and Delilah Caouette; special greatgrandnephews: Emmett Hausladen, Bryce Dobie, Lucas Caouette, Lawrence A. Davis IV, Preston D. Davis and Garland L. Davis; special cousins: Monzella Johnson, Marcia Johnson, Gregg Price, Evelyn Pettis, Squire Pettis, Serron Pettis, Seronn Pettis, Darion Pettis, Syonn Pettis, Ananiah Pettis, Seymone Pettis, Dorothy Cheatom, Doretha Cheatom, Cathy Cheatom, Odis Cheatom, Mary Works, Wendy Holbrook; and special friends: Joyce Bruton, Pearl Booker, Stephanie Ruth and many many more.

Order of Celebration Pastor Elizah Shafah ~ Officiating Avery Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Music Prelude Processional .........................................................................................................“When We All Get to Heaven” Song ................................................................................“Oh, I Want to See Him” – Avery Chapel AME Choir Prayer ...................................Pastor James Covington, New Harvest Fellowship Church, Oklahoma City, OK Scripture……………………………………………………..Old Testament…….Mr. Ray B. Smith (Brother) New Testament…………Mr. Harold Scarborough Song ................................................................................................“Total Praise” – Avery Chapel AME Choir Brief Tributes As a Church Member .................................................................................................................Ms. Doris Gray As a Friend .............................................................................................................................Mrs. Pearl Booker Expressions of Love to MOM .....................................................................Mr. Wayne Raynard Duncan (Son) ......................................................................................................................Mr. Anthony Aaron Duncan (Son) Memories of Grandma .............................................................................Ms. Ashley Duncan (Granddaughter) Musical Tribute to Grandma .................................“Nocturne 0.9 No. 2” – Master Xaiden Duncan (Grandson) As a Cousin .....................................................................................................................Ms. Monzella Johnson As a Sister ....................................................................................Mrs. Mattie P. Collins and Mr. Ray B. Smith Video Tribute Reading of the Obituary.....................................................................................................................Soft Music Resolutions/Acknowledgement ...............................................................................................Ms. Princess Hill Song...........................................................................................“Amazing Grace” – Avery Chapel AME Choir Eulogy .................................................................................................................................Pastor Elijah Shafah Recessional ............................................................................................................................“Goin Up Yonder”

Miss Me but Let Me Go When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me, I want no rites in a gloom filled room Why cry for a soul set free!

Miss me a little, but not for long, And not with your head bowed laow.

Remember the love that we once shared, Miss me, but let me go!

For this a journey we all must take, And each must go alone; It’s all a part of the Master’s plan A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick of heart Go to the friends we know, And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds, Miss me, but let me go. by, Christina Georgina Rossetti