Obituary
Patricia Durden

If you ever met Patricia Durden, you know her first love was her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. A close second was making sure that anyone who crossed her path would join her in Heaven when earthly life ended. She was a gentle soul and truly exhibited the fruit of the spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. Pat was a creative and industrious person as well. I guess having five children makes a person that way. Any challenge presented was an opportunity for her to put her creativity and artistic mind to work, whether it was the layout of a room, the need for additional parking as her kids reached driving age, or recreating a beautiful dress or outfit that cost more than she wanted to spend. She never met a challenge she couldn't figure out. Patricia was born on 9/15/1930 to Lesta Velna Parrish and Thomas Parish Walker. She lived in Wichita Falls, Texas, with her parents, her sister, Frances, and brothers, Parish and Dan. It was here she graduated high school and then attended Texas State College for Women. After graduation, she pursued a career in teaching art and English. She met John A. Durden, Jr one Sunday at Lamar Baptist Church, where she was an active member. He was stationed at Shepard AFB for his brief stint in the Air Force. That Sunday he called home and announced that he had met the woman he was going to marry. Seven months later, they were married and moved to the University of Kansas where she worked on her masters degree while John completed his PhD. A job offer enticed them to South Charleston, WV where they lived for the next 25 years. It was here that they raised their 5 children. She always had a deep calling to share the Gospel. When she and John arrived in South Charleston, they found no Southern Baptist church. After much prayer and soul searching, she reached out to the area missionary and put an ad in the paper inquiring about any interest in starting a Southern Baptist Church. Among the few responses, there was a retired minister and his wife, and a pianist and her husband. Mom designed the signs and bulletins and John taught Sunday School and led the music and thus, with 6 people, Highland Avenue Baptist Church was born. The church initially met in a bar (conveniently not opened on Sunday mornings), but eventually bought a house that was converted to a church. Highland Avenue Baptist Church grew and was where each of their five children found Jesus Christ as their Savior. She and John were immersed in the activities of the church: teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, participating in mission activities, and any other church programs. As a result of this church, many other Southern Baptist churches were planted and established in the area. Pat also started several neighborhood Bible Studies and was able to lead many neighbors to the Lord. She reached out to wives of Union Carbide employees who had moved from other countries to help them learn English and acclimate to life in the US. She used the Bible as her primary teaching source. She truly never missed an opportunity to talk about Jesus. She was pre-deceased by her husband John, her parents and her siblings, all of whom she has anticipated joining in heaven. They left five children; Phil (Becky) of South Haven, Michigan; Sara Rooker of Raleigh, North Carolina; Tom (Gwen) of Rockport, Texas; Paul (Robin) of Bartlett, Tennessee; Anne Doman of Raleigh, North Carolina; Grandchildren: Jennifer (Johnnie), Bryan (Ashley), Sarah (Kevin), Andrew (Aubrey), Tim, Keaton, Kaya; Kristopher (Tara), Megan; Whitney (Josh), Zachary (Melissa), Duy (Linh), Andrew, Sable (Deim); Violet (James), Matthew; Jed (Naomi), Beth (James), Kate, and 27 Great Grandchildren with one on the way. We pray that the life she lived and the Godly influence on the lives of all her family and friends will continue to be passed on. A service celebrating her life will be held on her 95th birthday, September 15, 2025 at Trinity Baptist Church on Six Forks Rd with visitation and receiving of friends from 1-2 pm and service following at 2:00. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her memory to the missions fund of Trinity Baptist Church.