Louise Dodgen Durham

Dateline- Laurens, S.C.
Louise Dodgen Durham

Louise Dodgen Durham, 89, passed away Tuesday, July 30, 2013, at NHC of Laurens, after living many years at Hansen Circle in Laurens. She was born in Saluda County, and was the daughter of the late George Wilson Dodgen and Josie Turner Dodgen. She was also predeceased by two sisters and two brothers. Her first husband, the late Rev. W. Frank Smith and she were married for 28 years, and lived many places in South Carolina as he pastored for the Church of God. Her second husband, J. A. Durham, and she were married for 10 years and lived in Seneca.
Louise was survived by a nephew, Doug Dodgen, and wife, Sandy; a niece, Elizabeth Dodgen Rush, and husband, Marvin, all of Greenwood. She is also survived by a stepdaughter, Wilma (Billie) Smith Bennett, and three step-grandsons, Jimmy, Eddie, and Jerry Bennett, of Florence; two stepdaughters-in-law, Mildred Smith, of Laurens, and Eva Mae Smith, of Seneca; and numerous step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Louise has worked as a daycare teacher for many years at First Methodist Church of Laurens, and daycare centers in Seneca. She loved children and enjoyed being a teacher. She was a long-time member of the Laurens Church of God where she taught Sunday School and had been an active member. Louise will be remembered as a dedicated prayer warrior throughout her life.
The family would like to thank the nurses, aides, and physical therapy at NHC of Laurens for their special devotion, care and love.
A celebration of her life will be conducted at the Laurens Church of God on Thursday, August 1, at 3:00 p.m. Officiating will be Rev. Gerald Funderburk, Rev. Terry Wilkerson, and Rev. Alton Stone. Her body will be placed in the church at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be at Greenhaven Memorial Gardens in Woodruff, SC.
Visitation will be held at Gray Funeral Home on Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.grayfuneralhome.com
Gray Funeral Home of Laurens.