BIOGRAPHY

Elsada Duncan was born in Brainerd, St. Mary, Jamaica, on 23 May 1908. She was the seventh of 13 children born to Charles Duncan and Grace Ann Pinnock-Duncan. Raised in a farming family, she was instilled with strong values of faith and perseverance. She began her schooling at the age of eight, but due to financial constraints, she was unable to continue beyond fifteen. As a young woman, she moved to Kingston, where she joined a church at the age of 17. She pursued dressmaking, not only sewing garments but also designing complete ensembles, often creating elegant outfits for wedding guests and churchgoers.

In Kingston, she became a successful entrepreneur, operating a thriving merchandising and dressmaking business. She was also a devoted member of the Rehoboth Apostolic Church of God in Christ in Kingston. With Charles McLaughlin, she welcomed her daughter, Norma Denton, on 19 June 1940.

In 1965, she was appointed as an Evangelist and spent many years traveling internationally, sharing her faith. She was often seen ministering on the streets, Bible in hand, singing spiritual hymns to uplift and inspire those in need.

In 1993, at the age of 85, she migrated to the United States with her family, settling in Stamford, Connecticut, before moving to Alpharetta, Georgia, in 1995 at the age of 87. At 104, she was diagnosed with breast cancer but did not succumb to the disease.

Elsada Duncan passed away in Milton, Georgia, on 16 March 2019, at the age of 110 years, 297 days. She was survived by her daughter Norma, as well as four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and her younger sister, Lisetta Duncan-Hyde (aged 101).

RECOGNITION

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* “One hundred, not out: Jamaican in Atlanta latest centenarian” – Embassy of Jamaica, 9 March 2008

* “110-year-old Milton woman to be honored by city” – AJC, 26 January 2018

* Elsada Miriam Duncan – Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory (Cumming , GA)

GALLERY