Helen Daughtry Duke

August 25, 1926 - April 28, 2019

Helen Daughtry Duke of Mint Hill, NC, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2019. Helen, born August 25,1926, was the only daughter of Willie Pauline Edwards and William Henry Daughtry. After graduating from Roanoke Rapids High School she enrolled at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro where she received a Bachelors in Education. In 1960, Helen began teaching at Indian Trail Elementary, Union County. She attended Queens College during the summers of 1960-1963 where she received a Masters in Elementary Education. Her teaching career in Charlotte Mecklenberg began in 1963 as a substitute. Afterwords, she taught full time at both Starmount and Bruns Avenue Elementary Schools. On December 20, 1947, she married the love of her life Brode Thomas Duke, Jr whose union lasted 70 years. Helen and her family joined Trinity Presbyterian Church shortly after moving to Charlotte in 1959. She was a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and as an avid admirer of art served on the Board of the Mint Museum, an honor she truly relished. Helen is survived by her three children Brode Thomas “Tom” Duke, III, (married to Katrina Ross who passed away July 6, 2018), William Keith Duke (married to Jeannine Miglino) and Katherine Anne Duke (married to David Karten). Helen is also survived by nine grandchildren: Erin Mellette Duke, Julie Elizabeth Duke, Johnathon Michael Duke and his wife Angela, Jeremy Christopher Duke and his wife Erica, Anna Pauline Duke, Dylan Issac Karten, Kelilah Rae Karten, Allyson Ross Cathey (married to Eric), and Bryan Patrick Ross. She was very fortunate to know her five great grandchildren Elijah Sebastian Duke, Judah Xavier Duke, Nolan James Duke, Orson Giovanni Duke, and Ross Franklin Cathey. Services for Helen will be held on Saturday, May 11th at the Chapel of the Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home in Mint Hill, NC, at 3:30pm with visitation beginning at 2:30pm. Memorials may be given to Novant Health and Hospice & Palliative Care, 324 N. McDowell St., Charlotte, NC 28204-2217. Please visit Helen’s online memorial at www.LoweNeddoFuneralHome.com to share memories, photos and condolences. The family wishes to extend special thanks to the Willow Grove staff and to her cherished caregivers: Angela, Shay, Beth, Cindy, Cissie, Cynthia, Debbie, Jessica and Michelle.