Lynell (Lynch) Durham

Lynell (Lynch) Durham, of Lewisville, and formerly from Lavender, Ben Hur and Groesbeck, passed away at the Medical Center of Plano on Wednesday, June 18, 2014, at age 83. Family and friends will gather at Groesbeck Funeral Home on Saturday, June 21, 2014, at 10:00 A.M. for viewing and visitation. At 10:30 A.M., following visitation, those in attendance will proceed to Criswell Cemetery for Graveside Services, to be conducted by Reverend Hugh Durham, retired Baptist minister. Following the conclusion of the services at Criswell, all are invited to gather again in Groesbeck for a luncheon together, (dutch treat), with a location to be announced at that time. Lynell, was born on March 26, 1931 to William Horace Lynch and Eva Inez Ainsworth Lynch in the Lavendar community of Limestone County. She grew up there and attended school in Ben Hur and then Groesbeck High School. After school, she moved to Dallas and worked for Southwestern Bell. Lynell had previously dated Joseph Wilson (Joe) Durham prior to moving to Dallas, and he finally moved there as well. Lynell and Joe were united in marriage on January 21, 1950 in Dallas. They lived and raised their children in Irving. Lynell received an LVN license in 1970, graduating with a diploma from Irving Community Hospital in the charter class. She worked for various doctors in Irving, and even worked as a nurse for Dr. Riggs in Groesbeck for two years, before they moved back to northeast Texas, where she worked then for Dr. Larry Farr. When Lynell and Joe retired, they moved to Navarro Lake, living in a travel trailer at the lake until they bought a house in Dawson. They worked for the Corp. of Engineers as gatekeepers at the lake, working from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. during the week, making many new friends, and then Joe fished on his days off. They had good friends there. They retired after three years, and moved back to northeast Texas, until finally moving again to Corsicana in 2010, where they enjoyed living close to grandchildren. They also enjoyed getting together once a month with Joe’s family in various towns. Lynell was a lifelong member of the Baptist Church. Lynell was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son, Ronnie Joe Durham; her son, Gary Durham (in 2006); and brothers, James M. Lynch and Horace Lynch, Jr. She is survived by her husband, Joseph Durham of Lewisville; daughter, Elaine Pharr of Corsicana; daughter-in-law, Kathy Durham of Tool; grandson, Patrick Abbott of Irving; granddaughter, Jennifer Sharp and husband James Sharp of Corsicana; granddaughter, Ashley Woods and husband Travis Woods of Pantego; grandson, A.J. Durham in the U. S. Military; and four great grandchildren: Hayden Abbott, Jaycee Sharp, Gary Mark Woods, and Travis Mark Woods. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Criswell Cemetery Association, % Joyce Stone, 115 S. Goddard, Mart, TX 76444, or the charity of one's choice.