Betty Durham

Betty (Mary Elizabeth) Crisler Durham was born on December 31, 1922, to Ethel Pearl Cranshaw Crisler and Henry M. Crisler in Macon, Georgia and was promoted to Heaven on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

She grew up in Winston Salem, NC, and Atlanta, GA. She graduated from Girls High School in 1941 and married the love of her life, Loyd Durham, in 1942. They were happily married for 61 years until his death in July 2003.

Betty, as she was affectionately known for her entire life, taught children in Sunday School for most of her adult life at Downtown Baptist Church (Alexandria, VA), Dogwood Hills Baptist Church (East Point, GA) and Mount Vernon Baptist Church (Atlanta, GA). She was a member of Betty Lowndes Sunday School class at Mount Vernon Baptist Church (Atlanta, GA) for many of her senior years. She went to work when her youngest child was 16 years old and worked for Fort McPherson and the National Park Service (federal government) until her retirement in 1988.

She was an active member of the Peach State Depression Glass Club for many years. She and Loyd moved to Asheville, NC, in 1999 to live near her daughter and son-in-law. She moved to Carlile Place in Macon, GA, in 2006 and then moved to Evans (Augusta), GA, to live with her daughter in 2012 after suffering a mild stroke from which she made a wonderful recovery.

She was an active member of Warren Baptist Church in Augusta and regularly attended the senior ladies Sunday School Class. She was faithful and generous to fund many mission trips to further the kingdom of God both at her home church (Warren) and other churches in the Atlanta and Macon areas. She also generously supported Wears Valley Ranch since its inception.

She remained very active, insisting on being taken to Hardees for breakfast on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. She worked out at the gym Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week to the shock and amazement of everyone. She attended church every Sunday morning and Wednesday evening up till age 100. Saturdays were spent at the hair salon, Chick-Fil-A for lunch and a little shopping afterward.

She is survived by her daughter, Jan Walthall, of Martinez, GA and her son, Gary (Patti) of Acworth, GA. She is also survived by a grandson, Joey Durham (Jennifer), of Marietta, GA, and 6 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by grandson Andrew Durham and son-in-law Bill Walthall. The family is so thankful for the loving care she received from Johnnie McDaniel from 2019 until her passing.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, May 11, 2026, in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors with Dr. David McKinley officiating. The visitation will be one hour before the service at 10:00 A.M. A graveside service will be held the next day at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in the Our Savior section at Westview Cemetery, 1680 Westview Dr, SW, Atlanta, GA with Rev. Marty Godfrey officiating.

Donations in her memory may be made to Wears Valley Ranch, 100 One Fine Place, Sevierville, TN 37862-2505.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com