Dona Carrell Duncan

Dona Carrell Duncan, 82, joined her Heavenly Father on Father’s Day, June 18, 2023. She was born on March 3, 1941 in Fairfield. Dona was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon Thomas Carrell Sr. and Vivian Nisbett Carrell. Her family includes her husband, James T. Duncan Jr., her siblings Joyce Carrell Peterson (Ted), and Gordon T. (Tommy) Carrell Jr. (Rhonda). Having no children of her own, she considered her nephews and nieces to be like her children. These include Greg Darden, Wendy Petterson, Todd Carrell, Brad Carrell, and Rachel Lindsay. Eleven Grand-nieces and nephews were hers as well.

Dona graduated from Ensley High School in the National Honor Society and from the University of Montevallo, in 1963, with a degree in childhood education. While there, she was selected for Who’s Who, Phi and represented the campus Wesley Foundation at their national convention. She obtained a Master’s Degree from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Dona was a teacher in the Fairfield School System for approximately 25 years, teaching in the Elementary School, serving at the Fairfield Board of Education for several years and again in the classroom teaching Junior High Math, taking a personal interest in her students, tutoring them at home in some cases and participating in their extra-curricular activities.

Dona attended the Central Park Methodist Church in childhood years and working as youth counselor in the summer at Camp Sumatanga. She was married in the Fairfield United Methodist Church, taught Sunday School, served as Youth Leader, and in a large number of leadership capacities. In retirement, she and her husband Jimmy attended Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church where she continued in the same leadership capacities as before, her church being a high priority for her. In her declining years Dona was member of Helena Methodist Church where she joined the Shawl Ministry, as always, serving her Lord and Savior however, she was capable. Thanks be to God for his grace.

A public visitation will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2023 from 10:00am-11:00am in the chapel of Johns Ridout's Elmwood Chapel located at 800 Dennison Ave. SW Birmingham, Alabama 35211 with a Celebration of Life Service to follow at 11:00am. Burial will follow immediately in Elmwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church or the Helena Methodist Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the Duncan family.