Born in Clover, SC to the late Mahalia Ashe, she was reared by her grandparents, the late Smith and Mary Byers Ashe. Others who preceded her in death were husband, Leonard McDuffie; two brothers, Herbert and Robert Ashe; and two special aunts, Roberta Partlow and Sarah Jones.

She was a homemaker and housekeeper for several area families in Cleveland County and worked many years for the medical practice of Dr. Robert Jones Sr. in Shelby before retirement.

Those left to continue her legacy and to cherish amazing and fond memories, include: four children, Robert Ashe, of Washington, DC, George “Mackie” Ashe (Chetha), Charlie Ashe, and Gallena Joyner (George), all of Shelby; a stepdaughter Margaret Surratt, of Shelby; six granddaughters, Torrena Brown (Erwin), of Boiling Springs, NC, Dionne Ashe, of Shelby, Deshanta Ashe, of Charlotte, Natasha Suber (Darryl), of Cornelius, Shawana Ashe, of Charlotte, and Tiffany Herndon, of Shelby; two step grandsons, Trayvis (Christy) and Brian (Dara) Huskey, both of Shelby; two great granddaughters, Mariah and MaKayia Ashe and two great grandsons Robert Ashe and Antonie Brown; two great granddaughters, Aaliyah Washington and Kennedi Rhoden; a great grandson, Travious; and sister in-laws, Rosie Ashe, of Shelby, and Lossie Ashe, of Dallas, NC; numerous adored and loving nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.