Ava Ann Brecheen Duncan

Ava Ann "Abie" Duncan, formerly of Commerce, passed away earlier this year in Houston, TX.  A committal service will be held on Saturday, September 21, at 11:00 a.m. at Rosemound Cemetery with Rev. Sam Caldwall officiating.

Known as "Abie", she was the daughter of Ava Lee DeJernett and John Cameron Brecheen, and the granddaughter of Dr. W. B. DeJernett, pioneering physician in East Texas.  As a teenager, Abie worked behind the candy counter at Commerce's movie theater, fostering her lifelong love for Hershey bars.

She graduated from East Texas State Teachers College, where she was a member of the Kalir Club, with a Master's Degree in Education.  The years following, she spent in Ogden, Utah; Odessa (her happiest times); Lubbock, and Seminole.  One of her proudest moments occurred when she designed the new family home being built in Seminole.

In 1968, the family moved to Houston.  Recently she was a 25 year resident of Meyerland until "Harvey" forced her to move.  Abie greatly enjoyed her roles as Brownie Scout Leader and Sunday School Teacher.  Her innate sense of curiosity led her to become "handy", a person who could fix anything.  She loved gadgets and browsing in hardware stores.  She was most accomplished at fishing, a favorite sport.

Ava had a long string of dogs and cats that she dearly loved.  Telling stories of her childhood was a trademark, as was her collection of angels.  She and a group of her girlfriends dating back to kindergarten and they had a get-together every year until old age came calling.

Most important to her was her strong faith and belief in God.  She loved God and all His wondrous creations.  Her strong faith sustained her through many trials, including the loss of her son and her ongoing medical challenges.

Ava was predeceased by her parents; her three siblings, Nancy Grant, John Brecheen, Jr., Norma Manning and husband Joe; her son, David Pearce Duncan; and former husband, Louis "Fireball" Duncan.

She is survived by her daughters, Sue Lindsey Duncan and Linda Marie McDaniel, and her granddaughter, Lindsey Lee Gumz, of Austin; Gordon Duncan, JoAnne Fry and Gary Duncan, Janet and Danny Duncan; nieces and nephews, Nancy Manning Reese, Joe Manning IV, Molly Manning Carpenter, Jim Lindsey Manning, Gay Grant Taylor and Sally Grant Tipton; and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to St. Phillip's UMC, 5501 Beechnut, Houston, TX 77096.

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