Mary Elizabeth Easley Durham passed away peacefully at 6:45 am on the eighth day of December 2020, at her home where she had lived since 1963.
Mary was born in Fairfax, Missouri on the first day of November 1925 to John Authur Easley and Mary Lucinda Fite Easley.
In 1932, she moved to Big Springs, Missouri, near Caulfield, Missouri. There, she attended school in a one-room schoolhouse, then finished her high school education at Bakersfield, Missouri. She also attended business college.
On December 18, 1948, she married Lester Johnny Durham.
Mary was an extraordinarily talented lady. She wrote poetry, music, song lyrics, and her voice was better than Patsy Cline’s! She was a hardworking farmer’s wife who enjoyed going for walks, baking, and spending time with her family.
In March of 1970, she began working at the Bakersfield Post Office and later became the Postmaster. She retired from the Post office in 1990. She made a wonderful impression on everyone she met. She was kind, helpful, and an upstanding member of the community. She was a timeless beauty on the outside as well as the inside. She was a great example of what a mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend should be and has left a legacy of love behind her. Mary was a faithful member of the Church of Christ and attended the Church of Christ in Bakersfield, Missouri.
Mary is survived by two children, Darrell Durham, and Carol Bales, both of Bakersfield; nine grandchildren, Janean Ritter, Jody Bond, Stacy Duke, Tracy Collins, Dalton Durham, Kelly Marsh, Dustin Durham, Ceirra Turner, and Mikayla Durham; 31 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Lester Durham, one son-in-law, Butch Bales, and one great-great grandchild, Addi.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Bakersfield Cemetery, with Brother Wayne Stewart officiating, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.
Visitation will be Wednesday, December 9, 2020 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains.
December 9, 2020 @ 10:35 am
I will miss Mary. She was a very sweet and kind lady.
December 9, 2020 @ 1:28 pm
Carol, Darrel & Family, Mary was definitely a timeless beauty and treasure. She was kind and truly a Christian example for everyone. She will be missed deeply. Love Loran & Barbara
December 9, 2020 @ 2:58 pm
I have so many fond memories of Mrs. Mary Durham and her connection to the Pendergrass Family as we were growing up. I marveled at her beautiful voice and she was such a sweetheart to spend time with. Lots of time was spent with the Durham family, since Lester and my dad Roy spent a lot of time together coon hunting as well as going to Bakersfield Church of Christ together. The last few time that I saw Mary, I was amazed that she never seemed to age. She was as beautiful and graceful as always. Prayers to all of the Durham family.
December 9, 2020 @ 3:03 pm
I have so many fond memories of Mrs. Mary Durham and her connection to the Pendergrass Family as we were growing up. I marveled at her beautiful voice and she was such a sweetheart to spend time with. Lots of time was spent with the Durham family, since Lester and my dad Roy spent a lot of time together coon hunting as well as going to Bakersfield Church of Christ together. The last few time that I saw Mary, I was amazed that she never seemed to age. She was as beautiful and graceful as always. Prayers to all of the Durham family.
Joy Pendergrass Holloway
December 9, 2020 @ 6:16 pm
Carol, Darrell, and Families,
Our deepest sympathy to all of you on the passing of Mary. During this time we will be keeping all of you in our daily prayers/thoughts. May God comfort, encourage, support, and give each one of you peace. May God bless all of you.
In Christian Love,
Norris/Ivene Cozort
Tim, Amber(Cozort), and Corby Redburn
December 9, 2020 @ 9:34 pm
Mary was always such a kind and wonderful lady, Carol, Darrell and Families we are so sorry she will truly be missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad and difficult time.
December 10, 2020 @ 4:01 pm
Darrell, Carol, I am so sorry for the loss of one of the most beautiful, remarkable, Loving, young women in town. And I loved her so..she will be missed so much.. I could see all the time at church how much her kids, grandkids and gg grandkids loved her so much..it was awesome to see.. I know you all have so many beautiful memories with her… can’t say enough great things about her.. RIP Mrs Mary..❤️❤️???