Helen Yvonne Duncan

Helen Yvonne Duncan was born on April 1, 1932 to William James and Lucille Edna Garmon. The family lived in the steel city of Gary, Indiana. Helen, known affectionately as “Bonnie”, graduated from Roosevelt High School. She went on to complete her baccalaureate at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She married William Briggs Duncan in Gary, Indiana and from that union five children were born; Todd, Sparkle Charmaine, Marshall, Meredith and James. In the early years of their marriage the couple moved the family to Los Angeles, California. Helen then began a career as a social worker for the county of Los Angeles. Later, she changed her career and became a teacher in the Los Angeles Unified and Lynwood Unified school districts. During the time of her teaching career she earned a Master’s degree in Education and a specialist certification in reading from California State University, Long Beach. She had much success as an Elementary and Jr. High School teacher. After a 30 year career she retired and enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. Helen began taking up hobbies that brought her much pleasure. One of the first hobbies that she began was oil painting. She created some beautiful renditions of still life (fruit, scenic views) that she framed and the family will be able to enjoy for generations. She enjoyed bowling in leagues primarily for the comradery with friends and family and the trips to Las Vegas. She also enjoyed word search puzzles that occupied her time for hours on end. She became a Lakers fan and hardly ever missed a televised game. The most important legacy that Helen left was her commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ and ensuring that her children grew up in the faith and admonition of the Lord. She was devoted to the Lord and developed lasting relationships with scores and scores of Christian brethren over the decades. She had an immediate and positive impact on every congregation that she was a part of. Helen Garmon Duncan was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years William Briggs Duncan, her parents, her brothers James Garmon and William Garmon, and her sisters Elizabeth Cody and Gloria Peterson. She is survived by her sister Alice Carroll and her brother John Garmon, her children Todd Duncan (Lela), Sparkle Charmaine Duncan, Marshall Duncan (Monica), Meredith Duncan Henderson (DeCovan), and James Duncan (Cheri), grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.