Estelle Ann Lee "Ducie"

Estelle Ann Lee (known to many as Ducie) entered this world on September 1, 1929, in Haymarket, Virginia, born to James Helms and Senora Helms-Jenkins. She passed away peacefully at her home in Dickerson, Maryland, on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at the age of 95.

Sometime in the early 1930s, the family moved to Sellman, Maryland, a farming town that developed along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad line. At the age of 13, Ducie and her brothers walked to Barnesville, MD, to work on the B&O Railroad tracks. This was one of many life lessons in perseverance, dedication, resourcefulness, strength, and faith that helped shape Ducie into the woman she became.

She attended the segregated Lincoln High School in Rockville, Maryland, which at the time offered the most vocational programs to black students, preparing them for much-needed jobs. Ducie was a beautiful woman with a warm heart and a sharp mind. These qualities led her to meet and marry the love of her life, Wilson James Lee (known to many as Jim). Ducie and Jim raised 8 wonderful children, and she was truly blessed to

have all eight living nearby: Barbara Mulheron (John), Nancy Cann, James Lee (Patricia), Ervin Lee, Joan Gibson (Merhl), Ruby Williams, Clifton Lee, and Rose Polite (Horace), 15 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren, who loved her completely just as much as she loved them. Ducie’s compassion and integrity led her to serve the Hermann family for three generations. Many in the Hermann family treated her as if she was their mom and grandmother.

Ducie was an excellent cook. Her homemade hot rolls never failed to bring all eight of her children running to the kitchen with butter and knives ready for the oven to pop open. Her natural cooking skills also helped her cater many parties over the years which form lasting memories for everyone. For certain anyone who came to Ducie’s home was going to have an excellent meal. That was her love language.

Ducie’s faith and dedication took her to Jerusalem Baptist Church in Poolesville, Maryland. She faithfully worshiped and served on the Usher Board, Communion Stewards, Missionary committee, Deacon and Deaconess committee, Pastor’s Aid committee, and Organizations Treasurer for over fifty years. Her life was rooted in the wisdom of her faith. Ducie was a woman of few words, but when she spoke people listened. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Helms and Senora Helms-Jenkins; her husband, Wilson James Lee; her brothers, James Helms Sr., Bishop Delaware Helms, Louis Helms Sr., and Ralph Helms Sr.; and two grandchildren, Victor Cann and Dwayne Gibson.

In addition to her eight children, Ducie also leaves behind to cherish her memory brothers, Leo Helms and Linwood Jenkins (Angela); her sisters, Alice Helms and Mary Weedon (George); devoted friends, Lynne Fabiszewski, Wanda Brown, and Rodney Campbell; nieces, nephews, and a host of relatives, friends, and cherished memories.

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