Virginia “Jennie” Mae Burke DuRant, 98, widow of James McDowell DuRant, Sr., died Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at her home surrounded by her family.
Born June 12, 1925, in Alcolu, she was a daughter of the late George Washington Burke and the late Mattie Amelia Geddings Burke. She retired at age 86, after 47 years in the nursing profession in the offices of Dr. Joe H. King, Dr. Edward Keith and Dr. Ramon Sy. She was a lifelong member of Clarendon Baptist Church serving as the church pianist and organist since age 16.
She is survived by four children, Dr. James McDowell DuRant, Jr. (Caron) of Sumter, Sara DuRant Wells (Bubba) of Manning, George Warren DuRant (Anna Paige) of Columbia and Nancy DuRant Hubbard (Jack) of Manning; ten grandchildren, Dr. James M. DuRant III (Courtney), Elizabeth Pusser (Buddy), David D. DuRant (Jennifer), Jennie Bradley (Brad), Glenn Wells (Linsy), Rutledge DuRant (Maggie), Paige Gregg (Boyd), Paul DuRant (Meredith), Jennifer Clarke (Will) and Dr. Kristen Lane (Ethan); twenty-two great grandchildren, James M. DuRant IV, Jordan DuRant, Whit Pusser, Hayes Pusser, AnnaBelle Pusser, Emily DuRant, Caroline DuRant, Marcus Bradley, Amelia Bradley, Elizabeth Bradley, William DuRant, Caroline DuRant, Ford DuRant, Walt Gregg, Emmie Gregg, Henry Gregg, Brady DuRant, Katelyn DuRant, Molly DuRant, William Clarke, Ansley Clarke and Graham Clarke; a sister, Mattie Amelia “Meli” Alderman (Rev. Dr. Robert Lewis) of Daleville, VA; a sister-in-law, Martha Burke of Alcolu; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by eight siblings, George Washington Burke, Jr., William Lewis Burke, Alva Lamar Burke, Mary Belle Davis, Thelma Inez Black, Eleanor Ruth “Tat” Moses, Betty Jean Brown Gaines and Paul Beverly Burke, Sr.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 26, 2024, at Clarendon Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike DeCosta and the Rev. Dr. Norman Rogers officiating. Burial will follow at DuRant-New Harmony Cemetery.
Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends immediately following the committal service at the graveside and other times at the residence, 1663 Doral Drive, Manning. Memorials may be made to Clarendon Baptist Church, Music Ministry, P.O. Box 307, Alcolu, SC 29001, or to First Baptist Church Television Ministry, P.O. Box 1000, Columbia, SC 29202, or to the American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org/ways-to-give .
Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church Street, Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org
