Rueben Marcus Duncan Obituary (2015)

Rueben Marcus Duncan, age 31, passed away on June 14, 2015 in Elgin, Illinois. He was born in Chicago, IL to Gwendolyn Duncan Atlas and Rojaih Maurice Brady. God had plans when he brought this bundle of joy into the world. The fourth child in his family, Rueben loved to jump around and play with an energy level unmatched to any other kid. His grandmother nicknamed him "BB" or "Boy Boy," and lovingly remarked that he smiled all the time. Growing up, Rueben loved to be outside, excelling at football and basketball, and adventuring and learning the things every young boy loves to do. He was a bright student, who loved to learn about the wisdom of God. He, in turn, often taught fellow children lifelong skills. Reuben also enjoyed track and field, wrestling, photography and drawing vivid and abstract types of art. Friends describe him as a young scholar with the brilliance of Einstein blessed with the Gospel of John. Reuben later worked in a variety of skilled trades, including carpentry, construction and trucking. While his work ethic surpassed most of the people around him, Rueben remained a humble man. Known for his charismatic, comedian-type character, Rueben loved to make everyone close to him laugh and feel comfortable. Rueben took pride in being a loving father to his two daughters, and a father-figure to his nieces and nephews. With the drive and fight of David, Rueben conquered many "Goliaths" throughout life, with the sharpness of double edge sword. He carved his way through many difficult encounters in life. Family and friends take comfort that Rueben knew Jesus Christ in his heart before he was called home to Heaven. Rueben is survived by his two daughters, La Raeyah (LaShawnda) and Trinity (Banika); four brothers, Thomas, Rojaih, Rafael (Kelly), and Robert Charles; four sisters Marsha, Zanetta, Erica, and Felicia; his mother, First Lady Gwendolyn Duncan Atlas (Pastor Robert E. Atlas); his Father, Rojaih Brady; his grandmothers, Martha Jean Duncan, and Ann Brady; his nephews, Davelle, Jalen, Tresean, Rojaih, Quenton, Dewayne Jr. , Rafael Jr., Dai'jour; his nieces, Tylantis, Di'Ariyah, Ni'ajah, Kenya, Hanna, Kaniyah, Nialah, Kaneeyah, Kaiyah; along with a host of cousins, family and friends. The visitation will be Friday June 26, 2015 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, with service to follow at 11:00 am at Elgin Family Worship Center, 1323 Summit St, Elgin, Illinois. Interment will be at Bluff City Cemetery, 945 Bluff City Blvd, Elgin, IL. Arrangements are entrusted to Madison Funeral Home. For more information call 847-741-1128 or visit madisonfuneralhomeelgin.com.