Dorothy (Dolly) Durham's Obituary
Dorothy “Dolly” Durham Dorothy Durham, age 94, died peacefully on Thursday, July 25th in Irving, Texas.Mrs. Durham was born Dorothy Alice Geyer in Riverside, New Jersey to Herbert Anthony Geyer and Anna Crane Geyer on August 27, 1924. She was affectionately known as Dolly her entire life. She spent most of her childhood living in Philadelphia, and although she has lived in Texas since the early 50’s, many people would still ask her if she was from Philly because of her pronunciation of certain words.After high school, Dolly wanted to major in art, but her father told her that artists can’t make a living and that she needed to choose another major. She chose history, and attended college for two years before moving to New York City. She became the assistant to an orthodontist whose office was on the south side of Central Park. While living in New York City, she met Floyd Eugene Blount, a Naval Officer whose ship had docked in the New York Harbor. They only dated for a couple of months before marrying in March of 1945. Their first child, Michael Eugene Blount, was born on July 9, 1949. While he was an infant, Floyd was called back to service for the Korean War. A few years later when Dolly was pregnant with her 2nd child, Floyd suggested that she move to Texas to live with his parents on a farm outside of Greenville, Texas. Floyd came home on a brief leave and Maureen Sue Blount was born on February 17, 1951. After the Korean War ended, the family moved to San Diego until Floyd’s discharge.In 1953, they moved to Dallas where Floyd took a job as a chemist with The Magnolia Petroleum Company, later known as Mobil. Dolly loved being a wife and a mother, and she was content to be a stay-at-home mom. They made many friends and were active with playing bridge, dancing, and attending neighborhood parties. Their third child, Daniel Floyd Blount was born on November 4, 1956. Despite having a new baby, Dolly managed to be the homeroom parent for Mike’s class and the Girl Scout leader for Maureen’s troop. She was very active in many guilds at her church, St.Matthew’s Cathedral. She also taught the three year old Sunday School class for many, many years and filled many other volunteer positions.Unfortunately, in 1968, she and Floyd divorced. She was devastated for a while, but bounced back. She took a sales job at Titches in Northpark Mall and continued with the company, later Dillards, until she finally retired at age 75.While working at Titches, she met Marvin Leighton Durham and they quickly fell in love and married in May of 1969. She and Marvin bought a house and moved to Irving, Texas. Dolly lived in that house for over 50 years, and it still looks pretty much the same as it did when she moved there in 1969! Dolly gained two more children through her marriage to Marvin, Irene Durham Webster and James Leighton Durham. She and Marvin enjoyed many things together including traveling. They were married for 9 blissful years until Marvin’s death in 1978.Dolly never remarried, but kept active with her job and her membership in various local organizations. She was very active in the Irving Symphony League and the Irving Theater Guild. She was honored with a special award at the Irving Theater Guild Marti Gras Gala for her many years as a member of the board. She was in a weekly Bridge Group with three other ladies. She was also very active at St. Mary’s, where she was a member until recently. Because she headed up the building fund for the church, the kitchen there is named in her honor.Another tragedy hit Dolly in 2012 when her youngest son, Daniel, died of diabetes related causes. She had lost her parents and husband, but losing a child was the hardest of all the losses for her.Her greatest joy was her family. She had 8 grandchildren, and she was very proud to tell everyone that she had 15 great grandchildren. She kept a Birthday Book so she could remember all of their birthdays.Dolly was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Anna, her sister, Jenny, her husband, Marvin, and her son, Daniel. She is survived by her children, Michael, Maureen, Irene, and James; her grandchildren, Kirsten, Gretchen, Rachel, Benjamin, Zo, Meredith, Jessie, and Jamie; and her great grandchildren, Raven, Aidan, Evan, Aria, Lizzie, Alex, Riley, Legolas, Anna, Audrey, Ari, Will, Leighton, Andrew, and Madelyn.Funeral service for Ms. Dorothy (Dolly) Durham will be held Monday, July 29, 2019 at 11:00 AM at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 516 S O Connor Rd, Irving, TX 75060. Her graveside service will be held Monday, July 29, 2019 at 2:00 PM in the Garden of Veterans II at Restland Cemetery.Funeral arrangements for Ms. Dorothy (Dolly) Durham have been faithfully entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery, which is located at 13005 Greenville Ave., at the intersection of Restland Road, Dallas, Texas 75243, and can be reached at (972) 238-7111.
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