Charles Duane Canady

Charles (Duane) Canady was born on February 2, 1956, to Marvin and Charlene Canady. He was the second of five children born to this union. Duane accepted Christ into his life as a child at Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, where his cousin, Rev. W.L. Templeton, was the pastor and his father was an ordained minister.

Duane was educated in the Topeka Public Schools USD 501 district where he graduated from Topeka High School in 1975. He then attended Fort Scott Community College and Highland Community College, ultimately receiving his degree in mental health from Washburn University. After college, he worked for the Menninger Mental Health Foundation in Topeka, KS, as well as Charter Hospital and Thunderbird Hospital in Phoenix, AZ.

He married Connie Bagby in the summer of 1983 and became an appreciated stepfather to Albert and Alshawn Bagby.

In 1990, he relocated to Phoenix, AZ, where he resided with Stacey Perkins and became a stepfather to Sade Harris. In 1992, he welcomed the birth of a son, Shavante Duane Canady, followed in 1993 by the birth of a daughter, Shadiah Danea Canady, both of whom preceded him in death. On November 6, 1997, the joy of his life was born: Steffon Marvin Canady. Duane rejoiced in sharing, bragging, and boosting all of Steffon’s many football and academic achievements.

Charles Duane Canady took his final earthly breath on January 19, 2023. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his son, Steffon Canady of Phoenix, AZ): three sisters, Karen Canady of Kansas City, KS, Sheryl (Leonard) Louis of Riverdale, GA, and Evonne Vera Canady of Topeka, KS; two brothers, Bruce (Katherine) Canady of Topeka, KS and Charles (Laura) Irwin of Oklahoma City, OK; seven nieces, Dr. Sherreka Harvey of Smyrna, GA, Shira (Cordell) Bridges of Kansas City, MO, Marlene Canady of Kansas City, MO, Bianca Irwin of Oklahoma City, OK, Mandolin Canady of Kansas City, MO, Madeline Canady of Kansas City, KS, and NiJaree Canady of Stanford, CA) five nephews, Marshall Canady of Kansas City, MO, Marcus Canady of Kansas City, KS, Trevor Irwin of Oklahoma City, OK, Jemel the Irwin of Oklahoma City, OK, and Bruce Canady Jr. of Topeka, KS as well as a host of family and friends.

Welcoming him to the gates of heaven are his parents Charlene and Marvin Canady ; son, Shavante and daughter Shadiah Canady; grandmother, Odessa Crowder, and grandfather Valentine Stephens.

His joy for life and warm spirit will be a legacy remembered by all blessed to know him.