Florence Juanita Durham

Flo, to many who knew her, was born in Richwoods, MO, on May 31, 1925, to Joseph and Blanch Nickelson. Her four sisters and brothers-in-law Marcella (Omar) Litton, Anna Belle (Roland) Hawkins, Flora (Clifford) Whitaker, and Betty (Ed) Gillam and parents preceded her in death.

She married Donald (Don) Durham on June 26, 1943. They were blessed with 57 years together before his passing in 2000, living much of their lives in Mt. Vernon, IL, until moving full time to Venice, FL, in 1995.

Flo is survived by their four children James D. (Joni) Durham of Mt. Vernon, IL; Thomas G. Durham of Ocala, FL; Terry D. (DeeLee) Durham of Kuttawa, KY; and Mary B. (John) McGill of Orlando, FL; and grandchildren Kathrine (Doug) Cain, Christine (Dave) New, Scott (Marissa) Durham, Calen (Courtney) Durham, Tara (Emily Cook) Cooper, Aodhan (Shaylea) Durham, Bridgett (Darren) Tharp, Kacie (Michael) Dalton, and Lori McGill; 16 great grandchildren, one great great granddaughter; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by beloved daughter-in-law, Pam (Thomas) Durham.

Flo and Don worshiped and served at Central Christian Church, in Mt. Vernon, IL, and South Venice Christian Church in Venice, FL. She was a frequent volunteer for their Venice Bay Park neighborhood and South Venice church gatherings and activities.

They enjoyed camping and boating, forging treasured life-long friendships with several other families who shared their vacations at Lake Norfork near Mountain Home, Arkansas, year after year.

Flo retired from the Project Uplift media library program of Illinois District 80 Schools. She was an avid reader, enjoyed traveling, was intensely interested in learning about everyone she met, and was able to enjoy golfing well into her 80’s, even after becoming legally blind. She loved keeping up with family and friends’ lives through visits and phone calls, closing those visits frequently with, “love you bunches.” She was cherished and will be greatly missed by all who loved her.

A funeral service and reception will be held Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at 10 AM at Baldwin-Fairchild Oviedo, FL, followed by a committal service at 2 PM at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL, where she will be buried next to Don.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to South Venice Christian Church, 2390 Seaboard Avenue, Venice, FL 34293.