Dr. Murrell J. Duster

Dr. Murrell J. Higgins Duster passed away on February 9, 2025. She was 91. Dr. Duster led a remarkable life that was rich with family, friends, and her unwavering dedication to enriching the lives of others through public service. Dr. Duster was a lifelong leader in education reform and was among the strongest supporters for growth, opportunity, and inclusion for marginalized communities in Chicago. During her 35-year tenure at Northeastern Illinois University, she had a particularly profound impact on many young lives in the Chicago community through her relentless pursuit of ensuring equitable access to opportunities in higher education. This passion led her to create NEIU’s Angelina Pedroso Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs where as the Founding Dean and Associate Vice President she mentored, supported, and inspired students and faculty alike. Upon her retirement in 2012, she was honored with the William “Doc” Speller Lifetime Achievement Award and continued her legacy by endowing a scholarship fund in her name. Her passion for arts, culture, and community development led her to serve as a proud member of numerous organizations, including the Chicago Chapter Links, The Women’s Board of Rush University Medical Center, The Field Museum’s Women’s Board, The Women’s Board of the University of Chicago, Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated, and the Ora Higgins Youth Foundation. Through her work, she not only became deeply involved with the causes she cared about but also formed lifelong friendships that she treasured. Dr. Duster was a devoted mother and grandmother who took immense pride in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She cherished every moment with them and went to great lengths to be present in their lives. She was preceded in death by her husband Benjamin C. Duster III, and two of her children, Karen Duster and Kevin Duster. Her legacy lives on through her three children— Alice Pennamon, Benjamin C. Duster IV (Deborah Duster), and Muriel DeVore (Matthew A. DeVore); her 11 grandchildren (Ashley Terrell (Brian Terrell), Rodney Pennamon II, Sarah Duster, Miranda Duster, Joshua Duster, Jacquelyn DeVore (Biyerem Okengwu), Matthew A. DeVore II (Stephanie Sipe), Victoria DeVore (Justin Bell), James DeVore (Kelsey Christine Greene), David DeVore, and Michael DeVore), her five great-grandchildren (Brian Terrell II, Jackson Terrell, Amaya Terrell, Zuri Terrell, and Kali Bell), and her brother William “Chico” Higgins (Ruth Higgins) and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Her memory will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to know her, reminding us of the importance of family, faith, and unwavering love. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 11 AM at the University of Chicago’s Rockefeller Memorial Chapel located at 5850 S Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, IL 60637. Repast immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in her name to any of the following organizations: Murrell J. Higgins Duster Legacy Scholarship Northeastern Illinois University Angelina Pedroso Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs The Links Foundation, Incorporated 1200 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC Please express your condolences here on our website. Services entrusted to Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home, Gwinnett Chapel 914 Scenic Highway Lawrenceville, GA. 30045. 770-338-5558

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Dr. Murrell J. Duster

October 13, 1933 - February 9, 2025