Tracey William Joseph Duggins

On a quiet Monday evening, December 16, 2024, Tracey William Joseph Duggins, a man whose music touched countless souls, found his final peace.
Born in Philadelphia on August 27, 1968, to Wilhelmina Duggins and Joseph Lavonne Tanner, Tracey—or "Trace" as his mother Wilhelmina lovingly called him—grew up in a home where faith and music flowed like water. Even before Tracey could form complete sentences, rhythm flowed through his veins like a divine gift. At just three years old, he transformed his living room into what his family fondly remembered as his first "recording studio." There he was, this tiny maestro in the making, flipping his tricycle on its side with the determination of a seasoned musician. The wheels became his cymbals, aluminum pie pans his drums, and two ordinary pencils morphed into drumsticks in his small but capable hands. What might have looked like child's play to an outsider was, in fact, the first chapter of an extraordinary musical calling. As he sat there, creating surprisingly complex rhythms from his makeshift instruments, his family watched in amazement—they were witnessing the birth of a musical gift that would later fill churches with soul-stirring worship and touch countless lives through melody and praise.
Music wasn't just something Tracey did, it was who he was. Without a single professional lesson, he mastered both drums and keyboard, often performing the seemingly impossible feat of playing both instruments simultaneously during church services. His talent wasn't just technical; it was spiritual. When Tracey played, the Garden of Prayer Memorial Center came alive with what his fellow congregants called "anointed praise."
Faith wasn't just a part of Tracey's life—it was the foundation of everything he did. His spiritual journey began in childhood at the Garden of Prayer Memorial Center, where his grandparents, Elder William, and Mother Annie L. Duggins, weren't just his pastors but living examples of the faith they preached. The church walls echoed three generations of Duggins family worship, and Tracey added his quiet harmony to that legacy. Tracey's dedication never wavered when his grandparents passed the torch to his aunt, Evangelist Pastor Carolyn Duggins. Even as the Garden of Prayer Memorial Center began a new chapter in 2016, joining Kingdom Empowerment Ministries under Pastor Rodney Roberson's leadership, Tracey remained a steady presence. He didn't just attend church—he lived it, serving with a quiet passion that spoke louder than words ever could.
But there was more to Tracey than the music. Those who knew him spoke of a "gentle giant “a quiet soul with an enormous heart. He shied away from the spotlight, preferring to let his actions speak louder than words. As a deacon at Kingdom Empowerment Ministries, he was the first to arrive and the last to leave, whether driving the church van, managing finances, or handling audio-visual duties. He never said no when someone needed help, and he never complained about the load he carried.
At Kingdom Empowerment Ministries, Tracey's quiet dedication earned him the role of Deacon—though he'd probably be the last to mention it. You'd find him everywhere: in the church finances office, mixing sound at the audio desk next. But ask anyone in the congregation about Tracey, and they'd likely tell you about the church van. He'd be behind the wheel, rain or shine, early morning or late night, ensuring everyone had a way to worship. Distance never mattered to him. Whether it was picking up elderly members across town or other members of the church, Tracey just showed up. No fanfare, no complaints, just steady, reliable service with that gentle smile of his.
Behind the scenes, Tracey's tech-savvy hands kept the digital wheels of ministry and his company Primerica financial services turning. While most saw him as the quiet musician, he was also the church's unsung tech hero—the one who made sure Sunday's livestream reached homebound members, kept the website running smoothly, and troubleshot everything from glitchy microphones to temperamental computers. If something had a power button and stopped working, Tracey was the first one called. He brought the same patient dedication to fixing a crashed server as he did to play the keyboard, never seeking recognition but always ensuring the church's digital presence remained a reliable bridge to its community.
His creative spirit extended beyond music. At 15, he penned articles for "The Memorial Center Inquiry," the church newsletter he helped create. Even as a child, his connection to faith ran deep. At just ten years old, he wrote a song that captured his unwavering belief: "Jesus is with us today; He's with us both night and day." These weren't just lyrics to Tracey—they were his life's testimony.
Perhaps the most touching aspect of Tracey's story was his special bond with his mother, Wilhelmina, and his beloved Aunt Carolyn (whom he playfully nicknamed "Aunt Kawol" as a child). Together, they formed a harmonious trio, their voices blending in a cappella praise that became legendary within their church community. One of their favorite songs, "God is Great and Good," became a testament to their shared faith and family bond.
After graduating from Abington High School in 1986, Tracey pursued his other passion—computer technology—at Montgomery County Community College. His professional journey took him through companies like Tube City IMS, Prudential Life Insurance, and Primerica, where his technical skills matched his helping spirit.
For 21 years, Tracey made his professional home at Primerica Financial Services, where he did far more than hold a Life Insurance License. As the technological right hand to Howard and Maria Lashner, he became the quiet force that kept their digital world spinning. While others saw computer problems, Tracey saw solutions. The office website? That was his canvas. Network issues? His daily puzzle to solve. But what set him apart wasn't just his technical expertise, it was how he wielded it. He approached each frozen screen and system crashed with the same patient grace he brought to his church ministry, turning technical support into an act of service. His colleagues didn't just see him as their IT guy; they saw him as family. In the halls of Primerica, just like in every other space he occupied.
Tracey left an indelible mark not just through the problems he solved but through the lives he touched. He had this remarkable way of making everyone feel supported, whether helping them navigate complex software or simply lending an ear. That was Tracey—always ready to serve, always there to help, and always appreciated by those fortunate enough to work alongside him.
Tracey's legacy lives on through a tapestry of loving family members: his devoted aunt, Carolyn Duggins, who shared his passion for ministry; including (late) Uncle Harvey Jones his great-aunt Louise Taylor and Ervin Williams (Mayor). of Hamilton, NC; and a constellation of cherished cousins. He also leaves behind his spiritual family at the Garden of Prayer Memorial Center, Kingdom Empowerment Ministries, and countless friends he touched. While he joins his beloved mother, Wilhelmina Duggins, and grandparents, Elder William and Mother Annie L. Duggins, in eternal rest, their shared love and memories continue to inspire those left behind. His extended family spans from Philadelphia, California, to North Carolina, each member holding a precious piece of Tracey's story in their hearts.
In the end, Tracey's life was like the harmonies he loved so much—complex, beautiful, and resonating with purpose. While his physical presence may be gone, the music he created, the lives he touched, and the love he shared continue to echo into the hearts of all who knew him.
A gentle soul has found his rest, but his song plays on.