By Cara Cowan Watts | Cherokee 411
July 15, 1949 – October 31, 2026
Collinsville, Oklahoma
Cherokee Nation Citizen
Emma Duncan was born on July 15, 1949, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, to her parents, John and Alene Christie. At the age of three, she moved with her family to Collinsville, Oklahoma, where she would spend the rest of her life building a beautiful life surrounded by family, friends, and loved ones.
Emma attended Collinsville schools and graduated in 1967. At just 16 years old, she met the love of her life, Dwayne Duncan. After graduating and turning 18, the two were married in August 1967, beginning a lifelong journey together. They made their home in Collinsville and built a life filled with love, memories, and family.
Together, they welcomed two sons, Kevin Duncan in 1967 and Keith Duncan Sr. in 1973. Her family would continue to grow, becoming her greatest source of joy and pride.
Emma was a hardworking and dedicated woman who built a successful career through determination and perseverance. She began her professional journey at Shell Oil, later moving on to First Data, and eventually ending her career at Enterprise, where she served as a supervisor. Through the years, she demonstrated strength, dedication, and a commitment to everything she pursued.
Outside of work, Emma enjoyed spending time with her husband at the gun range, shooting skeet and competing in shooting competitions. She was a talented competitor who proudly earned numerous trophies and awards along the way. It was one of the many special interests she and Dwayne shared together.But above all her accomplishments and hobbies, Emma’s greatest treasures were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was blessed with eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, each of whom held a special place in her heart. To them, she was more than a grandmother. She was a source of gentle kindness, unconditional love, comfort, and warmth. Her loving heart and caring spirit made each of them feel special, cherished, and adored.
Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Emma loved her. She had a gentle soul and a beautiful heart that touched the lives of so many. Her presence brought comfort, her kindness left lasting impressions, and her love will continue to live on through the generations of family she leaves behind.
There will never be a day when Emma isn’t missed. The loss of her presence leaves an emptiness that words cannot fill. Yet, through our faith, we find comfort in knowing that she is now with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. While our hearts grieve her passing, we hold tightly to the promise that one day we will be reunited with her again.
