Barbara Lawson Durgin

Barbara Lawson Durgin, 79, passed away peacefully at her home in Madison, Mississippi, on June 21, 2013. She was born on October 24, 1933, in Newton, Massachusetts. She lived in Needham, Massachusetts, during her childhood and spent wonderful summers on Cape Cod. Barbara attended Beaver Country Day School in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, and Gould Academy in Bethel, Maine, where she was a cheerleader. She graduated from the University Of New Hampshire in Durham, New Hampshire, where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority.

She was a Brownie and Girl Scout Troop leader in Millington, Tennessee, and Jackson, Mississippi. While a member of Christ United Methodist Church, she participated in the United Methodist Women Circle, helped with Meals On Wheels, and taught Sunday School. She worked at Madison-Ridgeland Academy as a teacher’s assistant.

Barbara enjoyed her bridge club and playing tennis many years ago. She enjoyed sailing with her husband and family and loved the wonderful family time she spent at the Jackson Yacht Club and at Dauphin Island. She was a member of The Casual Club, enjoyed reading, and dearly loved all of her cocker spaniels that she raised through her life.

She was a member of Madison United Methodist Church, Truthseekers Sunday School Class, and Naomi-Ruth Circle. Barbara loved spending time with her friends and family especially with her grandchildren and great-granddaughter. She was affectionately known as Grammie.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Gladys Williams Lawson and Harold Millar Lawson of England and by her step-mother Pauline Shriver Lawson who loved her as her own when her mother passed away when she was a young child. She is survived by her husband of 57 years Richard Boyden Durgin and her two daughters, Kimberly Durgin McKee and Nancy Durgin May and her husband, Terry. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Amy Mckee DeLashmet and her husband, Clark, John Durgin May, Amanda Lawson May, and Allyson Lynn May and one great-granddaughter, Adeline Tate DeLashmet.

The family would like to thank all of the nurses, doctors, and nursing assistants who took excellent care of her through the years and a special, heartfelt thanks to Mildred Moore who cared for her during some of her most difficult days.

Visitation will be at Madison United Methodist Church in Madison, Mississippi, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., and the Celebration of Life service will begin at 11 a.m. at Madison United Methodist Church. The burial service will follow at Wright and Ferguson on Highland Colony Parkway in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Madison United Methodist Church, 100 Post Oak Road, Madison, Mississippi 39110.