Kaye Lourena McDuffie touched many lives. She was beloved by many, especially kids. She was a magnet for kids, probably because she was just a big kid herself. Kaye was born on March 19, 1954 at Wayne Diagnostic Hospital in Ferndale Michigan to James and Bobbie Dean McDuffie. She attended Atkinson Elementary and Farwell Jr. High. She also attended Cass Technical High School in Detroit Michigan before going to Lansing Community College and Michigan State University. Over her lifetime, she worked in many different and interesting fields. Under the banner of the Lansing Theatre Project, she was an actor, writer and producer of plays in the Lansing area. Her productions appeared at the Boarshead, Riverwalk, Dart Auditorium, and Hannah Center Theaters. She created and produced the Aids Theater Group and the Be a Star Program at the Black Child and Family Institute. Over the last twenty years, Kaye became known as a compassionate and fierce champion of people living with HIV. She coordinated the Lansing Area Aids Network Communicable Disease Program. She became a fellow of the Institute for HIV Prevention Leadership at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kaye worked closely with local and state health departments, communities of color, LGBTA organizations, and faith-based organizations to increase access to HIV prevention and care related services. She also provided HIV counseling, testing, and referral services. Kaye received many awards and accolades including the Prism Award for significant contributions to the LGBTA community, the Meritorious Service Award from the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Womens Clubs, Inc. and the Red Ribbon Hero Award from the Lansing Area Aids Network. Her first love was always kids. As her alter ego Klowny Kaye the clown, she entertained hundreds of children with balloon animals, tricks and jokes. Kayes house was always full of toys and popsicles. She was a voracious reader, avid movie watcher, and lover of animals. She also loved flowers, especially those with strong scents. Kaye was preceded in death by her loving grandparents who raised her, Lee and Lula Mae Battiest. Her mother Bobbie Dean and brothers DiCondi and James McDuffie Jr. She leaves behind her husband Carlton Evans, four children; Lee McDuffie, Eshe Evans, Theresa Patterson, Joshua Evans and grandson Lemuel Fisher. Kaye also leaves behind her father and step-mother James and Helen McDuffie and siblings; Gina McDuffie, Carla Lewis, Valarie Hankins, Derrick McDuffie, Thomas Yarrell, Kevin Yarrell, Thomas McDuffie, Jason McDuffie and Derek McDuffie and a host of other family and friends. Memorial services for Mrs. McDuffie will be held Saturday, February 1, 3pm at Riley Funeral Home, 426 West St. Joseph St., Lansing, MI 48933. Contributions may also be made to the Lansing Area Aids Network where Mrs. McDuffie was a passionate Health Prevention Counselor for women and youth. You may visit their website at http://www.laanonline.org. Memories and condolences may be left at rileyfuneralhome.com.