Patsy Arradel Duncan

Patsy was born December 5, 1925 in Archer City, Texas to Patrick and Arradel Powell.  An honor graduate of 1942 Class of Childress High School she went on to Abilene Christian University to earn her B.A. of Dramatic Arts in 1946, continuing on to earn her Masters of Education from West Texas State University in 1955.  On August 17, 1947, she married John Duncan, they enjoyed their life together for over thirty five years until his death in August of 1982. Patsy lived and taught school at Childress High, ACU, LaMesa, Tell and for the Amarillo Independent School District.  In 1974, while living in Houston she became the regional director for TSTA and later the Director of Professional Relations at TSTA until 1985.  In 1985 patsy moved to Abilene and began work at ACU as the director of “Planned Giving.”  Between 1988 and 1989 she became Vice President of Development at ACU until her retirement in 1995. While teaching in Amarillo, Patsy taught at Amarillo High, Sam Houston Jr. High and served as the 9th grade counselor at Crockett Junior High for many years.  She also had the honor of being the first teacher at Amarillo Christian School, teaching kindergartners in 1957. While a member of the Texas State Teachers Association, Patsy served as the Panhandle Regional President from 1964-1965; The State Professional Chair from 1968-1972, the Local Chapter President from 1970-1971; elected State Teacher president for the 1972-1973 academic year.She was also active in the Women of ACU National Board of Directors; WACU Vice President for Membership; the Women’s Club of Abilene; ACU Alumni Citation in 1971; awarded the Grover C. Merlan Award for Excellence in Education from ACU in 1972; served on the Board of Directors from 1976-1978 for the Christian Child Help Foundation; a member of Delta Kappa Gamma serving as president 1967-1969; Kappa Delta Pi Alumni, Chapter 1974-1985; received honorary life membership in the Texas Congress PTA in 1963.Patsy was also honored by being recognized in the 2,000 Women of the World; the Dictionary of International Biography; Personalities of the South; Who’s Who American Colleges and Universities; also receiving recognition from the Wright Center for the Arts and at ACU the “Patsy Powell Duncan”The family will receive visitors at the funeral home on Sunday evening from 4:00P.M. until 6:00 P.M.Patsy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John, a brother Pat Powell and a sister, Cora Team.She is survived by two daughters, Diane Duncan of Amarillo; Nancy Jo Diaz and husband Danny of Elizabethtown, KY; her grandson, Austin Diaz of Newton, MA; granddaughter, Abby Diaz of Elizabethtown, KY; grandson David Diaz and wife Laura of Lewisville, KY;Two sisters, Peggy Blonton and husband Everit of Abilene and Charlotte Powell of Amarillo; three brothers, Joe Powell and wife Nancy of Paducah, KY; Bob Powell and wife Kay of Colleyville, TX; Ben Powell and wife Gail of Franklin, TN; brother-in-law Bill Team of Amarillo; and many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and  grand nephews.The family suggest memorials be made to the John and Patsy Duncan Endowed Scholarship Fund at Abilene Christian University, Gift Records, ACU Box 29132Abilene, TX 79699-9132 or Blanton Center at the High Plains Children’s Home.

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