Duncans celebrate golden anniversary

James and Jestine Duncan

James and Jestine Duncan celebrate 50 years of marriage on June 15. The Rev. Duncan and the former Jestine Mendenhall married June 15, 1957 at Immanuel Baptist Church in El Paso.

Shortly after marrying, the couple moved to Arkadelphia, Ark., to begin his education for the ministry and then to Fort Worth for his seminary training, where he received his master's degree.

Rev. Duncan retired after 50 years in the ministry, and he served in churches in Arkansas and East Texas. Mrs. Duncan retired from East Texas Medical Center in 1999 after 20 years in human resources and from Hospice of East Texas.

The Duncans have three children, Melissa Strickland of Tyler, Paul Duncan of Jacksonville and Trish Rayford of Whitehouse.

The Duncans are members of Gateway Baptist Church in Whitehouse. They are active in their church activities and spending time with their seven grandchildren who range in age from 26 years to 16 months old.

A reception in their honor, hosted by their children, will be held June 9 at Gateway Baptist Church Family Life Center. The couple took a trip in early spring to celebrate their anniversary.