Obituary of Mary Alice Durham

DURHAM, Mary, was born in Rattan, OK on January 12, 1922. She was the third of twelve children of Parker & Eva Mae Rosenthal and was of German and Choctaw descent. Before her marriage to James H. Durham in September, 1943, she worked as a high school teacher and as a farm worker. During WWII, she worked in a plant building fighter planes. After the war, while her husband completed his education, she raised their children and became her sons' Cub Scout/Boy Scout Den Mother. She was also active in the church as a Sunday School teacher. The family moved to California in 1955. In California, she worked for 20 years in retail sales at The Broadway as a salesperson, assistant manager and department manager of various departments. After retirement, she enjoyed working in her yard, gardening, visiting family and friends, and spending time with her 5 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. She and her husband also enjoyed a memorable trip to Europe. In 1995, she and her husband moved to Mt. Juliet, TN where she lived until her death. After struggling with breathing illnesses for several years, she finally succumbed at home with family at her side on April 18, 2011. She is survived by her children, James H. Durham, John P. (Susie) Durham, Diane Durham (Bill) Newland, and Sherry L. Perry; her siblings, Frank (Monalla) Rosenthal, Ernestine Krohn, Isabel (Harley) Murray and Tommie Scott; her grandchildren, Adrianne Durham, Amy McCartney, Ashley Grguric, Nathan Durham, and James Perry; her 8 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Her beloved husband, Jimmie, passed away in 2007 after almost 64 years of marriage. She was 89 years old and lived a long, happy and interesting life. She was dearly loved by family and friends and will be missed. Arrangements by SELLARS FUNERAL HOME AT MT JULIET, 2250 N. Mt. Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122, 615-758-5459, obituary line 615-758-8818, www.sellarsfuneralservices.com