Mrs. Cleo L. Durant

“I have fought a good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-“- II Timothy 4:7-8

Mrs. Cleo Laverne West Durant was born to Henry and Tabitha Pace West on October 24, 1956, in Houston, Texas. She graduated from Kashmere Senior High School in 1974, where

she was a member of the volleyball team. After graduation, she attended North Texas State University (now known as the University of North Texas).

On February 14, 1977, Cleo married her high school sweetheart, Ronald Glenn Durant, Sr.

To this union, two children were born: a daughter, Erica Nicole Durant, and a son, Ronald Glenn Durant, Jr.

The two most important things in her life were God and family, in that order. Cleo’s great love for God and strong faith were exemplified by her lifelong affiliation with the Church of God in Christ. She spent her formative years at Parkhill Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Elder E. J. Walters. In 1976, she became a dedicated member of Little York Church of God in Christ under the leadership of the late Superintendent Thomas Edwards and the current pastor, Rodney Edwards. During her time, she served as a choir member, member of the Church Finance Committee, and as Treasurer of the Women’s Department.

Her travels included many vacations with family and numerous local and national family reunions. She served as Chaplain of the National Pace Family Reunion–Texas Chapter.

She was known for her exceptional cooking and took great joy in sharing her talents with those fortunate enough to experience her dishes, especially her pies and cornbread dressing during the holidays.

Cleo was employed by the State of Texas for more than 35 years in various positions and

retired as a caseworker in the Medicaid Department of Health and Human Services.

Cleo was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Tabitha Pace West; her husband,

Ronald Glenn Durant, Sr.; her daughter, Erica Nicole Durant; and her siblings: Charles West, Murl West, Roy West, Sid Holcombe, and Barbara West Moore.

Beautiful memories of Cleo will be cherished by her son, Ronald Glenn Durant, Jr. (Olivia); her

grandchildren, Walton Bias and Emmaleigh Durant; her sisters, Tabitha Anita West and Karen Denise Kellum (Douglas); her sisters-in-law, Kelly “Penny” Holcombe, Hazel Riley (Kenneth), and Doris Delaney (Alphonso); her brothers-in-law, Benjamin Durant (Rose) and Roy Durant; her godchildren, Alexis Perry and Monique Starling; and a host of aunts, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews, and cousins.