Jonathan Bryant Durham

Dr. Jonathan Bryant Durham, Sr., age 91, of 23 Windrush Drive, Rome, Georgia died December 2, 2010 at his son's residence in Gulf Breeze, Florida.

A native of Green County, Georgia, Dr. Durham was born on September 18, 1919, the son of the late Samuel Vincent and Minnie Lee Aderholt Durham. Dr. Durham graduated from Brewton-Parker College and Mercer University and received his masters degree and doctorial degree in political science from the University of Georgia. Dr. Durham was preceded in death by his wife, Ina Martin Durham, on April 18th, 2002. Dr. and Mrs. Durham were Southern Baptist Missionaries in Nigeria and Burkina Fasso for 34 years at the time of their retirement in December, 1984. Dr. Durham served as a high school principal, church planter and was general secretary for the then eastern region of Nigeria. Following the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War, Dr. and Mrs. Durham studied French at the Institute De Tourine in Tours, France and opened Southern Baptist work in Burkina Fasso (formerly Upper Volta). Dr. Durham was a church planter and served as general secretary for the mission in Burkina Fasso. Following retirement, Dr. and Mrs. Durham lived in Lithonia, Georgia and moved to Rome in 1998.

Dr. Durham is survived by his sons, Judge J. Bryant Durham, Jr. and his wife, Linda Durham of Rome, Dr. Rodney M. Durham and his wife, Kim Durham of Gulf Breeze, Florida and Dr. Samuel J. "Jerry" Durham and his wife, Shannon Durham of Port St. Joe, Michigan; 6 grandchildren, Benjamin, Alex, Nicholas, Rachel, Hannah and Sophia Durham; 2 brothers, Frank Durham of Union Point, Georgia and M. C. Durham of Gwinnett County, Georgia. Nieces and nephews survive.

Funeral services for Dr. Durham will be held on December 7th, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the West Rome Baptist Church with Dr. Floyd Roebuck and Rev. Don Reece officiating. Dr. Durham will lie-in-state at the West Rome Baptist Church on Tuesday from 1 until 2 o'clock. Additional funeral services for Dr. Durham will be held on Wednesday morning, December 8th, 2010 at 10 o'clock a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Union Point, Georgia with Dr. Jim Martin and Rev. Terrell Davis officiating. Dr. Durham will lie-in-state at the First Baptist Church of Union Point, GA on Wednesday morning from 9:30 until 10 a.m. Interment will follow in the Union Point Municipal Cemetery in Union Point, GA.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention for mission work in Africa.

Dr. Durham will remain at Fred Talley's Parkview Chapel Funeral Home, 2516 New Calhoun Highway, Rome, Georgia where the family will receive friends on Monday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 o'clock.

Please join the family in honoring the life of Dr. Jonathan Bryant Durham, Sr. by visiting www.talleysparkviewchapel.com and posting your tributes and memories.

Fred Talley's Parkview Chapel Funeral Home, 2516 New Calhoun Highway, Rome Georgia has charge of the funeral arrangements for Dr. Jonathan Bryant Durham, Sr.