Millicent Underdue Duncan

Millicent Underdue Duncan was born November 2, 1934 in Gaston, NC. She was one of 12 children born to the late William and Martha (Adkins) Underdue. She received her early education in the Gaston/Northampton County school system. With the untimely death of her widowed mother when Millicent was 5 years of age, it made necessary for the older children to look after the younger children. Due to a serious health issue, Millicent’s sister, Hazel, brought her to Baltimore, MD in 1946. Hazel took her to John Hopkins Hospital where she was the first to receive an innovative surgery. She stayed in John Hopkins Hospital for over one year before she fully recovered. While she was in the hospital, she was unable to walk most of that time. It was there that she learned how to crochet. She continued to crochet over the years, making lots of blankets, hats and scarves for family and friends until she developed carpal tunnel in her later years.

During her adolescence Millicent moved to Albany, NY and stayed with her brother Thomas Underdue. It was there that she continued with school and graduated from Albany High School. She met her husband Ronald Duncan and they married October 7, 1956. They were married for 69 years and raised 4 beautiful children: Dennis, Monique, Wanda and Ronald.

After graduating high school, Millicent took a job at New York Telephone Company, where she worked for 30 years retiring as a manager. While working she took on various roles at Bethany Baptist Church. She was a Sunday School teacher, Superintendent, Trustee, and a delegate of the National Baptist Convention for many years. Millicent and Ronald made it a point to ensure their children attended Sunday School and church. Millicent was honored by Bethany Baptist Church with a “This Is Your Life” program in honor of her many accomplishments in the church. She played a vital role serving on the building committee to build the new sanctuary for Bethany Baptist Church and participated in the march from the old sanctuary to the new sanctuary on September 11, 1993.

Millicent was also an entrepreneur. She and her sister, Edna Sparks, opened a popular take-out restaurant on Second Street in Albany, NY affectionately known as E & M Take Out. Customers loved stopping in for delicious mini chili hot dogs, fish fry and ice cream for several years.

Millicent enjoyed several hobbies over the years, most notably crocheting and knitting, gardening vegetables and flowers. She also enjoyed baking; her specialties were sweet potato pies, pound cakes and sour cream cookies with homemade chocolate frosting on top, as well as being an excellent cook.

When they retired Ronald and Millicent made the decision to move to Atlanta, GA to be with their children who had moved there previously. After moving to Georgia, they joined Poplar Spring Baptist Church in Ellenwood, GA under the leadership of Pastor Ulysses Ponder. Millicent was a part of the weekly Senior Bible Study taught by her husband for over 20 years. She continued to serve at Poplar Spring for many years until she was unable.

Millicent’s dedication to her family and church was always a priority for her. She always made sure everyone had what they needed. She enjoyed shopping and gifting for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Making up and giving out gift bags during the holiday seasons brought her so much joy. In her later years Millicent especially enjoyed talking on the phone with her siblings about current events or just reminiscing about the good old days.

Millicent was preceded in death by her Siblings: Ozella Vincent (1st Edward, 2nd Joe Hamlin), Blanche Underdue, Mattie Easter (Johnny), Elaine Underdue, Wilbert Underdue (Minnie), Thomas Underdue (1st Lucille, 2nd Grace), William Underdue, Jr., Jasper Underdue (Frances), Hazel Ross (John), Edna Sparks (Barry); Brother-in-law, James Ross and Daughter-in-Law, Delilah Duncan.

Millicent leaves to cherish her memories: Devoted Husband Rev. Ronald Duncan; Sister, Elizabeth Ross; Sister-in-law, Amanda Underdue; Children: Dennis Duncan, Monique Willis (Paul), Wanda Singleton, Ronald Duncan (Germaine); Grandchildren: Damion Duncan (Octavia), Justin Payton, Jarred Payton, Lisa Singleton, Ronald Duncan, Jr.; Great-Grandchildren: Nathaniel Duncan, Jacob Duncan, Solomon Duncan, Jadyn Payton and Jordyn Payton along with a host of loving nieces, nephews, other family members and cherished friends.

A viewing will be held at Poplar Spring Baptist Church, located at 3796 River Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294, on February 12, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Celebration of life will begin at 11:00 am. Services will conclude with a graveside committal at Fairview Memorial Gardens | 164 Fairview Road, Stockbridge, Georgia 30281.