Gwendolyn Earnestine Sanders-Duckett was born January 16, 1956 to Earnest Sanders Jr. and Margarette Ann Cooper in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  She was educated in the Virginia school system.  She later moved to Camden New Jersey where she attended Camden High School.  During her teen years she became a model for Lampkins Modeling School and went on to become Ms. America Teen Pageant runner up.

In 1973 she married Ronald Herbert Duckett and from that union he adopted her oldest son Royal, they later had Sharondah.  She later would birth Terril, Matthew, Jennipher, Dominic, and Cassandra.  Gwendolyn loved to travel.  She lived in Georgia, later making Florida home for a while until being diagnosed with cancer, later moving to Tennessee to reside with her father until his death.  She continued to reside in Tennessee until being called home on January 3, 2021.

She is predeceased by her mother, and father, oldest son Royal, youngest daughter Cassandra, and sister Carole Sims-Austin.  She leaves to cherish her memories her siblings, Derrik, Jerrel, Dinah (Marvin), Lynda, and Yolanda, her children Sharondah, Terril, Matthew (Mari), Jennipher, and Dominic (Shaun) Grandchildren Keenan, Tyra, Taquasia, Tunnel, Diamond, Dajianique, Maletia, Elijah, Isaah, Alan, Margarete, Tyera, Xavier and Rowland.  Great-grandchildren, Thomas Jr., Tavion, Jennah, Amayiah.  A host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

A special thank you to Juanita Mathis, Godmother, Mrs. Ethal (Andy), best friend, March Green, Mario Swift and Forrestine Taylor, Caregivers.

Poem Submitted on behalf of her Children

Don't ask me why I left today, instead

remember what a glorious life I lead

the beautiful times we shared together

All these tears being shed remind me

I am loved, that we are human,

we grieve, a better question is where am I going

Now look around at these beautiful children

and know without doubt I am a part of them

an essence that guides them on their journey

Don't ask me why I left today, instead

wish me safe passage on my new venture

be strong for me, remember all I was:

A devoted wife that needs you

to carry on; a loving sister that alone knew

our struggles; a caring mother, grandmother, friend

It was my time to go, of that I am certain

know that I am at peace and didn't suffer

know that you all meant the world to me

Services will be streamed via Facebook N H Owens & Son Funeral Home @NHOwensAndSonFuneralHome