Ara La' Shon Duke

Ara La’Shon Duke was born in Dallas, Texas, on October 26, 1969, to Marsha Garnett-Halmon and Carl Walker. She was baptized at Freedom Baptist Church in Dallas, where she and her family worshipped and were active members.

Ara attended Justin F. Kimball High School where she excelled as a lieutenant on the drill team and was a proud member of the Kimball High Class of 1988! She attended Texas A&M University where she met lifelong friends and later transferred to Ashford University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in organizational management. Ara established a successful career at an early age, showing leadership and promise in every position she held. She worked at Southwest Water Company early in her career, before becoming a case worker for Lone Star Social Services. Ara had a true passion for education and early childhood development. That passion manifested in a position as the Director of First Steps Discovery Learning Center. And for a decade, Ara worked for IDEA Public Schools and was a founding faculty member of their Rundberg Campus. She began her tenure there as a Kindergarten teacher and progressed to becoming a member of the leadership team. She adored her students and colleagues and was the soul of their campus.

In 2002, Ara met the love of her life, Christopher R. Duke. Their whirlwind romance fostered an undeniable love, and the union became one in November of that year, after which the couple relocated to Austin, Texas. In 2003, Ara gave birth to the best thing that ever happened to her; daughter Alena, who has been the joy of Chris and Ara’s lives since she was born. One of the highlights of Ara’s life was witnessing the marriage of Alena to her husband Jackson. Ara recently learned that Jackson and Alena are expecting their first child - and Chris and Ara’s first grandchild - next winter. Ara was elated about becoming a grandmother.

Ara’s first love was the Lord. She was truly a God-fearing woman and Christ was at the center of her entire world. She was a longtime member of Restoration Christian Ministry International Church, where she served in the Women’s Ministry, Children’s Ministry and Intercessory Prayer Ministry.

In her free time, Ara enjoyed traveling, retail therapy, her time at the nail salon, and reading the latest addition to her robust book collection. Her favorite television show of all time was Star Trek, and she binge-watched every new iteration released. She absolutely loved black cinema and some of her favorite movies of all time include Just Wright, Last Holiday, Love and Basketball and Waiting to Exhale. Often, she watched these classics accompanied by her all-time favorite snack, popcorn! She was a true foodie and loved trying new restaurants and recipes. She had a special appreciation for seafood. Ara traveled extensively as a cheer mom, for which she snatched countless ponytails while supporting Alena’s 16-year competitive cheer career. She was also a lifelong fan of the Dallas Cowboys and stood by her team through all the ups and many, many downs.

Ara and her family have a long history of service to the community. Organizations for which she had an extreme passion included Black Women in Business, Mission Accomplished, and NPH USA.

Ara was truly one of a kind. Her beaming smile and effervescent personality lit up every room she entered. She was best known for her amazing pep talks, generous heart and giving spirit.

Ara went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 15, 2024. She was a victim of senseless gun violence that took place at a Juneteenth festival at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock, Texas. This is a park that Ara and her family visited numerous times. In fact, Ara, Chris, Alena, her brother Brandon, and niece Briana attended the Juneteenth Festival there in 2014, exactly ten years ago, and sat just steps away from where Ara took her last breath.

Preceding her in death was her loving father, Carl Walker, father-in-law Paul Gusic, and mother-in-law Vernice Duke. She leaves to cherish their memories of her; loving husband Christopher R. Duke, daughter Alena (Jackson) Holmes, parents Melvin and Marsha Halmon and Blanche Walker, siblings Ismail (Khaliya) Rashid-Walker, Carla Walker and Brandon Halmon, brother-in-law Corey Hicks, sister-in-law Ana Guarisma, “sister-cousin” Tracey Walker-Carter and an aunt, Ara Evelyn Lattimer, for whom she was a namesake. Her memory will live on in the hearts of a host of other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, classmates, colleagues, relatives, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, Ara’s family is asking the community to consider donating to charities that meant so much to her. Both organizations are having a major positive impact on the lives of thousands of children:

NPH USA: www.nphusa.org/ara

OR

Boys and Girls Club of the Austin Area: www.bgcaustin.org/donate with a note that says “In Memory of Ara Duke”