Lillian Marie Duncan

"A Beautiful Spirit Inside and Out"

Lillian Marie Duncan, a resident of Houston, Texas was called home by our Heavenly Father on August 16, 2012 following a lengthy illness.

Mrs. Duncan was born on September 5, 1930 in Needville, Texas to loving parents, Otto and Nita Gragert. She graduated from Lamar Consolidated High School and briefly worked for a local optometrist. There, she met her one true love, James O. Duncan, Jr. They married in 1951 and were inseparable thereafter, until Jimmy's death in 2011, one month shy of their 60th wedding anniversary.

In addition to being a devoted housewife, Mrs. Duncan greatly contributed to her husband's successful music career and business ventures. Together, they enjoyed traveling throughout the United States -- Colorado being their most treasured destination for summertime adventures. She was a tremendous cook and loved to garden or just curl up in front of the fireplace with a good book. Our parents were avid sports fans and held season's tickets for many years to the Houston Astros and Rockets. Animals were always a huge part of her life and she regularly contributed to foundations furthering the humane treatment of animals. Any orphaned pets in the neighborhood were always welcome to stop by for a bite to eat.

Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of her life. Our mom never met a stranger. Her warm smile, gracious personality and quick sense of humor are what made her so charming and will be greatly missed by all who ever had the privilege of meeting or knowing her. She leaves behind a legacy of family gatherings, delicious food and many holiday celebrations that will never be forgotten.

She is survived by her daughters, Sheryl Diane Hammon and Susan Denise Tapia; three grandchildren, Kimberly Saldana and David and Timothy Fry; as well as seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, Leroy and Alvin Gragert and their spouses and children. She is preceded in death by her husband, James O. Duncan, Jr.; a son, James O. Duncan, III, her mother and father and a brother, Adolph "Sonny" Gragert. Both Mrs. Duncan and her husband, Jimmy, were members of Addicks United Methodist Church of Houston, Texas.