Rachel Hillman Duran, 85, passed away February 28, 2018 at University Medical Center in Jackson. Visitation will be 1-3pm Sunday, March 4, 2018, at First Pentecostal Church in Jackson. The funeral service will be at 3:00pm at the church. Graveside service will be 11:00am, Monday, at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery in Union, MS.
Mrs. Duran was born on March 22, 1932, in Neshoba County, MS to the late Erby J. and Verna Smith Hillman. She graduated from Conehatta School in Conehatta, MS. She then attended and graduated from Draughon Business College. On July 17, 1965 she married the love of her life, Edward G. Duran. They were married for 36 years, when the Lord took him home. She worked for the Mississippi Highway Patrol as Secretary for 33 years until she retired in 1985. She was loved and honored by her friends there with a huge retirement party and a big write-up in the paper.
She loved to sew, knit, and crochet for all her family and friends. She made awesome blankets, comforters, stuffed animals, purses, bookmarks, baby shoes, shawls and coats. She was always sending cards and money for birthdays and Christmas. She meticulously documented everything from weddings, funerals and church services to hospital visits and phone calls.
Mrs. Duran loved to work in the church. She and Edward loved to give Bible studies. She taught Sunday School for many years. She made weekly phone calls to anyone who was new to church to make sure they would be there on Sunday. It made them feel so welcome. She was a church greeter, and all who arrived were sure to be greeted by her smiling face.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Edward Duran; her parents, Erby and Verna Hillman; her sisters, Hazel McLemore, Francis Cox, and Winnie Stevenson; and her brother, Junius Hillman.
Survivors include her brother, Edgar (Ruth) Hillman of Union; sister, Wilma (Sam) Fitch of Gulfport; stepsons Charles (Rachel) Duran of Brandon; Byron (Laura) Duran of Raymond; Gerald (Jan) Duran of Terry; stepdaughters Ouida (Ray) Glover of Silsbee, TX; Nancy (late Wendell) Sistrunk of Pearl; and a host of nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, step grandchildren, and step great-grandchildren.
