Daisy Mae Henry Durrah was born July 19, 1919 in Winnsboro, SC to the late William and Lucy Gaither Henry. She departed this earthly life on December 15, 20120.

"Aunt Hun," as she was affectionately known by family and her siblings, the late Willie Gaither Henry and the late Gertrude Henry Scippio, relocated to Winston-Salem, NC to be cared for by her aunt and uncles after the untimely demise of both parents around 1929.

Daisy graduated from Atkins High School in 1937 and earned a teaching degree
from Winston-Salem Teachers College (now Winston-Salem State University), a certificate
in Library Science from NC A&T University, and a summer internship at Columbia University.
Clearly, Daisy Durrah valued education and had a very strong work ethic.

During her lifelong career as an educator she held teaching positions at Gillespie-Selden Institute, a private Presbyterian school in Cordele, Georgia; Caswell County Training School in Yanceyville, NC; and later, worked in the Winston Salem City schools at a host of school campuses including Mebane and Columbia Heights elementary schools. She retired from the Winston Salem/Forsyth County schools in 1983 though she regularly substituted for other teachers throughout the system well beyond her 80th birthday.

She joined Mt. Zion Baptist Church around 1929. Over her 83 years of membership she served behind the scenes in various roles: the Pulpit Search Committee, Miriam Circle Missionary Group, first Church Librarian, and other activities whenever requested.

In 1947, Daisy married Robert Louis Durrah. Their lives were joined for 64 years until his demise in April of this year. In August of 1957, the couple adopted a son, Robert L Durrah, Jr. "Bobby", who was the joy of their lives. Their adoption of Bobby gave expression to their desire to provide opportunities and privileges for children they themselves were not afforded, and in keeping with that, they became foster parents, in the tradition of Elizabeth Teamer, Louis' Mother, raising Mary Lou Harper Wright, and her son Christopher Lenard Harper.

Daisy Mae and Louis cherished their families and when needed, supported their husband's mother, their own siblings, nieces, nephews, more distant relatives, and even those unrelated to them by blood, unconditionally. Their hearts were big.

Among her community involvements she was affiliated with the WSSU Alumni Association; the National Women of Achievement, Kernersville Chapter; the Beta Alpha Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.; the "Just Us Neighbors" Community Club (JUN's); and the Sweet Adelines singing troupe.

Her hobbies included breeding dogs, reading, shopping and traveling. She delighted in
"adopting" young people, whom she encouraged to discover their gifts and become the best persons they could be through the Debutante Cotillion, Scouting, School Activities and tutoring.

We will sorely miss her gentle touch, her subtle wisdom, her clever humor and her
sincere joy. Memories will be cherished by her son, Robert L. Durrah, Jr.; granddaughter, Erin Elizabeth Durrah; sister-in-law, Dora Oliver; foster children, Mary Lou Wright and Christopher Harper; cousins, nieces and nephews: Clarence "PI" Williams; Jeannette Clyburn; Jaime and Sonny Durrah; Carolyn and Maurice Henry; Alan, Jerry, Mark, and Terry Justice; Nanette Malone; Annette, Johnny, Kent, Rogers, and Rondy Scippio; special caregivers, Marion Henderson, Joan Rorie, Arlene Smith; special friends of the family, Demetrius O. Bowman and Mildred Smith; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm Saturday, December 22, 2012 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Serenus T. Churn, Sr. officiating. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 12noon until 1pm on Saturday at the Church.

The family requests that in lieu of floral arrangements, donations be given to the Mt Zion Baptist Church Youth Educational Enhancement Program or the Church's Adult Day Care Center, 950 File Street, Winston Salem, NC 27101. We appreciate your kind remarks, expressions of sympathy, and prayers for comfort during this time of bereavement.