Barbara T Duncan

Barbara Ann Tompkins Duncan was born on January 4, 1942 in the city of Richmond.  Barbara or “B.T.” as she was affectionately known by many friends, died peacefully at her home in Richmond on December 26, 2020, accompanied by family.  She was the second child of the late Brown and Ada Rayner Tompkins.

Newark, DE. was her home for 44 years where she taught music in the Public Schools, married, and raised her family.  In Newark, she taught music for more than ten years.  She met Earl Saunders, Jr.  He died after two years of marriage.  Later, she married Louis L. Duncan III.  They had four children and following ten years of marriage, he passed.

Barbara raised their four children while an active participant in her Church and community.  She served as organist at St. John United Methodist church in Newark, DE. and later as choir director of the Community Presbyterian Church in New Castle, DE.  She eventually joined St. Matthews Episcopal Church in Wilmington, DE. singing in the Chancel Choir and serving as a licensed Lay Reader.  

During her years in Newark, she was elected to the Board of Education, was appointed to the Board of the Newark Girls Club, also active in the American Association of University Women and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  She was later a charter member of Sigma Zeta Omega Chapter of AKA, Newark, DE.

Barbara enjoyed people and had many friends.  She played bridge with some, enjoyed movies with few, chatted on the phone with many, visiting when she could and making music with others.  She particularly loved traveling to other countries, soaking up the culture and learning as much about people as possible.

Education was extremely important to her and she pursued both of her passions: music and ministry.  She graduated from Maggie L. Walker High School in 1958.  She attended Virginia State College (University) graduating in 1962 with a B.S. degree in Music.  While majoring in Music, her primary focus was on Piano Performance and a French Horn minor.  During her time at “State,” she was a member of the Marching 110 Band, playing the flute and later, drums.  She was a cellist in the orchestra and also sang in the Concert Choir.  She loved to talk about those “good old days.”  She treasured the honor of being chosen as Miss ROTC, 1960 and Miss VSU, 1961.  She received her Master of Music degree from West Chester University, West Chester, PA.  Her performance instrument was percussion, but she continued her interest in the flute and cello.

She attended Lancaster Theological Seminary (Lancaster, PA.) where she received her Master of Divinity Degree with a year’s study at General Seminary (NYC).  Later she received her Doctorate in Liturgy from the Graduate Theological Foundation (IN).  Barbara was ordained Deacon in 1987.  She served as Deacon to the City while at the Cathedral of St. John in Wilmington.  She was ordained the first Black Female Episcopal Priest in the Diocese of Delaware in 1988.  She then served as Interim at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Director of Christian Education for Youth at Christ Church Christiana Hundred, Associate Pastor for Missions at St. Columba Episcopal Church, Washington, DC, Director of Criminal Justice Ministry for the Diocese of Pennsylvania, and Canon Pastor and Missioner at the Washington National Cathedral where she was the first Black woman to serve as Canon.  She retired from the Cathedral in 1993 and returned to Newark, DE. and served as Pastor of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church.  At the time of her death, she was Priest in Residence and member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Richmond, VA.  

She was a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a member of the Richmond Metro Chapter of VSUAA, a member of the Senior Ministries of Emmanuel Episcopal Church and St. Peter Baptist Church.  

Barbara loved her reclaimed home of Richmond.  She especially enjoyed her time with her breakfast group, the “Lunch Bunch,”the Upsilon Omega chapter of AKA and its Chorale, and the Richmond Metro Alumni Chapter of VSU.  She was the pianist for the SMB trio with two violinists, Mary Popelier and Sandra Shelton.  Music was her joy and gardening her passion.  Much of her spare time was visiting the sick and shut in.  That included members of St. Peter Baptist Church of which she was a member of the Senior Ministry.  She also coordinated the Senior Ministry at Emmanuel for several years and restarted the Greeters Ministry.

Left to cherish the memories of her and her late husband are their children: Martin L., Alan L., Anthony R. and Camille Y. Duncan.  Other surviving relatives are three grandchildren: Akeema Crumel, Za’Kar Duncan, and Parker Duncan; five great grandchildren; devoted friends Howard Dabney, Gail Holman, Sandye Wilson, Mary Greene, her beloved sister-in-law Cecilia Reid and a host of relatives and friends.

May the soul of Barbara and all the faithful departed rest in peace.

Viewing will be held at McClenny and Watkins Funeral home-2700 North Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222. From 1pm to 6pm  Tuesday January 5, 2021. Internment will follow at Gracelawn Memorial Park in New Castle, DE.

A memorial service will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. As well as, an Ivy Beyond the Wall ceremony will be held at the same location on the same date. The date for these services will be scheduled at later time.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in the honor of Rev. Dr. Barbara T. Duncan to both Emmanuel Episcopal Church Brookhill, Richmond, Va and/or the Virginia State University Richmond Metro Alumni Association.

Checks made payable to Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Emmanuel Episcopal Church

1214 Wilmer Avenue

Richmond, VA.  23227

Checks made payable to Richmond Metro Chapter of VSUAA

Richmond Metro Chapter of VSUAA

P.O. Box 25748

Richmond, VA.  23260

vsuaarichmetro.com