In Remembrance Of
Lula Margaret “Lu” Durham
Lula Margaret Durham was born on January 14, 1920 to her father, Silas L. Durham M.D. and her mother Ann Buchanan Durham. She was born in the same house that she passed away in on May 24, 2021. She was one of four siblings, with two older (James Dudley and Helen Durham Aufranc) and one younger, Silas Durham, Jr.
She first went to school in Dearborn, later moving on to receive her higher education at William Woods and she received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Iowa. She was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She also studied at the Goodman Theater in Chicago. She received her master’s degree at UMKC and had five summers towards her doctorate at KU.
Lu began teaching high school drama locally, in both Dearborn and Edgerton. She later moved to St. Joseph, where she taught at Benton High School. She then got a job at Missouri Western State College and was at their ground breaking. She taught speech and theater there and produced their first play, The Fantastics.
To many, retirement means a time of rest. That was certainly not the case for Lu. After retirement from teaching, she continued to teach in as many ways possible. One of her great loves after education was the preservation of history. She became involved with the Platte County Historical Society and she served as a docent at the Ben Ferrel Museum in Platte City.
In Dearborn, she helped to establish the World War II Veterans Memorial. She has compiled a book about all the veterans from Dearborn who served in any war. She has also compiled much not only on the history of the community, but also the genealogy of any local families. All of these can be found in the Dearborn branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library.
Among many other things, Lu worked toward the restoration of the Pleasant Grove Cemetery. She was also a driving force behind seeing the North Platte Historical Society and Cultural Center open. Lu was an avid volunteer, genealogist and long-time KC Royals. KC Chiefs and KU Basketball fan.
She was preceded in death by brothers Silas L. Durham, Jr. and James Dudley Durham, sister Helen Durham Aufranc, nephew James O. Aufranc and nieces Pam Ann Howe and Peggy Lu Tanner.
Lu is survived by her nephews Silas Daniel Aufranc and Jim (Ann) Durham; niece Kathleen (John) Davis; grand nieces and nephews Karla (Kevin Runnels) Aufranc, Raschell Edwards, Karissa (John) Dreier, Aaron (Lindsay) Tanner, Kendra (Travis) Boyer, Kara (Tony) Yarc, Anna (Dexter) Chow, Jamie (Jeff) Lewallen, and Amanda (Tony) Conti; great-grand nieces and nephews Samantha Yarc, Kaden Dreier, Alyssa Edwards, Karson Dreier, Ryan Edwards, Evan Yarc, Drew Boyer, Hudson Tanner, Landry Tanner, Harper Boyer, Pierson Tanner, Payton Yarc, Gabriel Chow, Leon Chow, Marra Kenney, Patrick Kenney, Stacy Durham and Aly Conti; other relatives and many friends.
Celebration of Life 5:00 pm Tuesday, June 1st at First Baptist Church, Dearborn, MO.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lu Durham Scholarship Fund, mailed to Kara Yarc 9609 SE State Rt 116 Dearborn, MO 64439
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10 comments
Melissa C Cassel
mAY gOD BE WITH YOU ALWAYS . mELISSA cASSEL A COUSIN OF HERS .
Patricia K Downey
Lu was my acting teacher at Missouri Western State University in the early 1970s. I was also fortunate enough to be cast by her in a production of Man of La Manchu. She was a true treasure to her students and to the local theatre world. I admired her a great deal. As an educator, Lu was a great role model! My sincerest condolences to Lu’s family on her passing.
Gelene Davis Matthews
Lu was a special person, a special teacher. She will be missed by so many…especially me.
God Bless you Lu. Our High School Reunions will never be the same.
St George Tucker Aufranc
A remarkable and kind lady. My condolences to the whole family.
Daniel Wilson
To all of Lu’s family, please know how much Ms. Durham has meant to so many. She will be sorely missed and fondly remembered. She was not only a great teacher of speech and drams but also a great teacher of life’s values and lessons. May all of you rejoice in her life’s activities and accomplishments. Sincerely, Dan Wilson
Class of 1962, Benton High School.
Morgan Brown
I remember nearly two decades ago when my first grade teacher told our class that our Living History reader would be Miss Durham. From then to visiting her at home in recent years, she was always so friendly, smart, welcoming, and wise. I always enjoyed conversation with her. The Durham family is in my prayers.
Pamela Penland
I will forever be grateful for the things Ms. Durham taught me at Benton High School in class and in our school plays as well at Missouri Western in Speech Class. I was thrilled to have her instruction both in High School as well as College. I’m still amused when I hear someones mispronunciation of words that were her pet peeves. We loved her and I’m better for knowing her.
Dixie Hollar Propheter
She was such a great lady and so much fun. While you may be saddened by her passing remember all the good things she did while on this earth. She is in a beautiful place now. Prayers for all of you.
Barbara Ann Aufranc
A wonderful woman – so happy I was able to lnow her. Heartfelt Blessings to her family and friends.
Don Comeaux
To Lu s family. I am so sorry to hear of Lu s passing. She was a legend and a great lady I volunteered with Lu in Living History. I am most proud to have called her my friend.