Sarah Johnson Durham

Sarah Johnson Durham, beloved mother and grandmother, left this life Wednesday, November 1st at Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center in Wilmington after suffering declining health for some months. She was born in Wilmington May 22, 1935 to Dr. George and Mrs. Evelyn Johnson. Dr. Johnson was well known in Wilmington for his long service to the community as a gynecologist and obstetrician prior to his passing in 1966.

Sarah was a graduate of New Hanover High School, Salem College, and the Wake Forest University School of Law, being the only female to graduate in her class at Wake Forest at that time. She established her own law practice in Wilmington and subsequently served on staff at Myrtle Grove Presbyterian Church for many years until her retirement. She was familiar to all at the Carolina Yacht Club at Wrightsville Beach since a young girl and enjoyed the Club, beach, and ocean.

She is pre-deceased in life by her older brother Dr. George Johnson, Jr. of Chapel Hill, N.C. She is survived by her son, Michael Durham and his wife Robin of Wilmington, and her daughter Sarah Lancaster and her husband Richard, also of Wilmington. Other surviving family are her sister-in-law, Mrs. Marian Johnson of Chapel Hill, N.C., and a cousin, James Johnson of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Sarah was a devoted grandmother to her three grandchildren, Ian Durham, currently in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Benjamin and Catherine Lancaster, both of Wilmington.

The family would like to thank the emergency room staff of New Hanover Regional Medical Center and the nursing staff of Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center for their outstanding care in Sarah’s final days and hours.

A remembrance celebration for close friends and family will be held at a later date and time. In lieu of flowers the family asks that friends consider a memorial to the Wilmington Interfaith Hospitality Network, 4938 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, 28403, or the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center at 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, 28401.