Glenda Brigance Durell

Mrs. Glenda Joy Brigance Durell, 92, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on October 3, 2026, leaving behind a beautiful legacy of faith, humor, adventure, and love for helping others.

Glenda was born on March 5, 1934, in Memphis, Tennessee, to the late Frank Rogers Brigance and Lucille Carpenter Brigance. After Lucille’s death in 1944, Glenda was blessed with a stepmother, Louise Ludlow Brigance, who remained an important part of her life until Louise’s death in 1990. Glenda was also preceded in death by her stepsister, Antoinette Ludlow Hubbard, in 2013.

Glenda graduated from Southside High School in Memphis in 1952. She married Jack Lorren Durell, and together they shared 49 years of marriage until his death in 2002. While Glenda would often say that her greatest accomplishment was raising her five children, she also pursued her education later in life, earning her degree from Queens College in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1987. She went on to enjoy a successful career in the Purchasing Department at Duke Energy, retiring in 1999.

Family was at the center of Glenda’s life. She devoted herself to raising her children and later delighted in being a grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. After her children were grown, she lovingly raised one dog and five cats, caring for them with the same tremendous love and devotion she showed to everyone around her.

Glenda was an avid reader, and her favorite book was always her Bible. Her faith was the foundation of her life. She was deeply involved in her church communities and generously gave her time to help others. She was often found driving someone to a doctor’s appointment, checking on someone in need, or finding out what someone needed and making sure they received it. Even when she could no longer attend church in person, she faithfully watched services online and continued to read her Bible. She was always ready to pray for others and share her testimony.

Glenda was also an avid traveler and enjoyed visiting many countries with Jack throughout their marriage. She especially treasured the annual Durell family reunions and often welcomed others to join the celebration. She had an adventurous spirit and believed in living life fully, saying, “I would rather regret the things I did do than the things I didn’t do.” True to those words, Glenda never turned down an opportunity for fun with her loved ones—from parasailing and white-water rafting to riding bicycles with her grandchildren.

Family gatherings were filled with laughter, games, and stories, and Glenda was frequently declared the winner on game nights. Her quick wit, sense of humor, generous heart, and zest for life brought joy to everyone around her.

Glenda’s greatest legacy is the love she gave so freely—to her family, her friends, her church, and those who simply needed a helping hand. She leaves behind countless memories and a faith that will continue to inspire the generations who follow her.

Glenda is survived by her five children: Charles “Chuck” Durell of Raleigh, North Carolina; Cherri Grube of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Jack “Jay” Durell and his wife, Denise, of Odessa, Texas; Karen Durell and her husband, John Grossi, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and Kirk Durell and his wife, Sherrie, of Huntersville, North Carolina; as well as eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at Brantley Funeral Home in Olive Branch, Mississippi, which is handling the arrangements. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by a graveside service at 2:30 p.m. at the Brigance Family Cemetery in Olive Branch.

Glenda lived a life grounded in faith, devoted to family, and filled with adventure. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Memorials may be made to Trellis Hospice online at www.trellissupport.org or mailed to Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.

The family would like to thank the staff at Harmony at Brookberry Farms for their compassionate care of Glenda over the past couple of years and for the kindness, dignity, and loving support they provided to her and her family.