Dorothy Mae Durant

Dorothy Mae Durant entered the world May 30, 1941, to the late Albert Lee Dean and Ida Faye Thirkield in Oxford, MS. She was the eldest of four children born to this union.

Dorothy accepted Christ at an early age and united with Salem United Methodist Church. However, after her parents relocated to Gary, IN, she became a member of Delaney United Methodist Church, now Christ United Methodist Church. There, she served on several committees and held multiple positions, including Financial Secretary.

She received her early education in Gary, IN and graduated with her diploma from Tolleston High School in 1959. Dorothy later attended Philander Smith College in Little Rock, AR and went on to graduate and receive her Bachelor’s Degree from Arkansas AM&N College in Pine Bluff, AR. After receiving her degree, Dorothy gained employment with Gary Public Schools and taught for 38 years before retiring in 2005. She thoroughly took pride in and enjoyed educating her classroom children. While working, she pursued her Master’s Degree in Education from Purdue University Calumet.

As she attended AM&N, Dorothy met and married James Durant and to this union, their daughter, Cassaundra, was born.

After retiring, Dorothy returned home to Oxford, MS to care for her mother. She reunited with Salem U.M.C. Church. There she served as the Recording Secretary for two years and later became the Finance Secretary.

Dorothy loved her family dearly and helped them all. She loved traveling and cooking. She loved going to church and attending Bible study and she loved her sudoku puzzles.

On Saturday, May 7, 2022, Dorothy peacefully went to be with the Lord at Yalobusha Nursing Home in Water Valley, MS. She will be truly missed by all.

Left to cherish her memories are her daughter, Cassaundra Durant of Bloomington, MN; granddaughter, Nicara Durant-Jackson of Oxford, MS; nieces, CaTrina Washington, Zina Smith, Patrice Thompson (Otis), Evette Dean; nephews, DeWayne Washington, David Dean (Monique), Bacari Dean; great nieces, TaNesheha Marshall (Derrick), Jessica Miller (Demetric), Tihyya Bolds, Chantianna Bolds, Dallas Thompson; great nephews, Gregory Washington, Sean Dean, Brandon Dean, Bryce Dean; great great nieces and nephews, Makai, Cameron, Graci, Aaron, Aarion, Jarias, Jamin, Jameel, Jo’Syis, Dai’Onne, Harrison, Tianna Marie, and Brian; and other relatives and life time loyal friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Anna Lee McGlown, Patricia Washington; brother, Booker Dean; and nieces, Tarasia Millier, and Monique Bolds.