Durward Randolph

Mr. Durward Edmond Randolph, “Big Ed”, 81, passed away on Thursday, June 29,2017. He was born on August 30, 1935, in New Albany, Mississippi, to the late Mark Edmond Randolph and Grace Kerr Randolph. He was preceded by his brother, John Robert Randolph, his mother-in-law, and father-in-law, 2 sisters-in-law, 2 brothers-in-law, 2 nieces, and 2 nephews.

He grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and received a football scholarship to the University of Mississippi. Growing homesick, he transferred to what was then Memphis State University (The University of Memphis), where he continued to play football, being awarded All American for his performance on the football field. After college, he was invited with a personal letter from George Halas to try out for the Chicago Bears, but instead chose to pursue a career in business. In 1987, he was awarded the Billy J. “Spook” Murphy Award for achievement in business by a University of Memphis Athletic Hall of Fame.

After graduating from college, Ed started his career in the trucking business with Roadway Freight. After working his way up the corporate ladder and living on both coasts in the process, Ed brought his family to Winston-Salem in 1972 to work for Hennis Freight Lines. He retired in 2000 as President and CEO of Cardinal Freight.

After retired he spent many days playing golf with his friends at Forsyth Country Club, where members still remember his competitive spirit. He loved working in his yard, and did so until he was no longer able to for health reasons, and enjoyed watching sports, especially college football, on television. However, nothing was more important to him than his family, and the highlight of his life was having all of the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren over to Grandmommy and Grandaddy’s house for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and any other occasion that they could get there. He was always quick to tell others how proud he was of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and he never missed a chance to brag about them all to anyone who would listen.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Berenice VanAusdall Randolph, 5 children, Mark (Lisa) Randolph, Becky (Marty) DeBruhl, Jennifer Randolph, all of Winston-Salem, John (Lindsey) Randolph, and Elizabeth (Patrick)Trainor, both of Atlanta, GA, 11 grandchildren, Meredith Rutledge, Christine Randolph, Kirby Randolph, Kane DeBruhl, Staten DeBruhl, Max DeBruhl,Cate Randolph, Henry Randolph, Jake Trainor, Sam Trainor, Anna Trainor, Katherine (Daniel) Penninger, Julian Maxey, and Brodie Maxey, and 5 great grandchildren, a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Funeral Service will be Saturday, July 1, 2017 at Frank Vogler & Sons Funeral Home, 2951 Reynolda Road, at 3 P.M. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or a charity of your choice.