Charlie Walter Durham

Charlie Durham Obituary Charlie Walter Durham was born on August 25,1935 in Parrott , Georgia. He was the fourth of eleven children born to Everette and Ruth Durham. He was affectionately known as "Rat". At an early age, Charlie accepted Christ at Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church in Pelham , GA. In 1956, seeking better opportunities, he joined the Great Migration, and moved to the home of Brouder and Zena Bell in Cleveland , Ohio. Charlie was a hard working man and worked with Brouder at Bell Construction for a number of years. He later joined with his brothers in forming the Durham Brother's Construction Company. Charlie married Ophelia Bryant on August 29,1959, in the Bell family home. Kenneth Lamar is the first born of Charlie Durham's five children, followed by Vicki D. McDowell -Horne. To the union of Charlie and Ophelia, three sons were born ; Frederick Ellis, Wallace Ferdinand, and Keith Quinnell. Charlie left a majority of the cooking to Ophelia and limited his cooking to bean soup and greens. He also kept a beautiful yard, keeping up with his farming talents learned in Pelham,Ga; growing tomatoes , greens, and beautiful flowers. In 1960, Charlie became a member of the Nation of Islam, as some of his brothers had done earlier. He was an active member, and eventually became a "Fruit of Islam." Once his sons became of age, Charlie formed Charlie Durham and Sons Construction Company, where he worked with his sons,nephews,and friends. He taught the next generation how to pour concrete, build room additions, garages, and how to "not act ugly." Charlie could never sit still. He could always be found at a job site ( even when it became more supervising for him and fussing at the workers for not performing the work to his standards) or visiting with his sons or grandkids. Charlie was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather , uncle, father-in-law and friend who was loved by all. Charlie peacefully departed this life on Saturday, July 18,2020 11:15am. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, baby sister; Barbara Jean, brothers;Otis (Clementine), Roy, Carey( Betty),and Cleveland(Penny). He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife; Ophelia, and children; Kenneth, Vicki, Fred, Wallace, Keith ( Denise),grandchildren; Simona Ayers(deceased),Vernique Lamar, Kanifa Lamar, Kenneth Lamar Jr., Rashad Davis ( Christy),T'Keyah McDowell, Frederick Durham Jr., Adrian Durham ( deceased),Lauryn Durham, and Whitney Durham, seven great grand children; five great-great grandchildren; siblings; Everette Durham(Raffi),Helen Durham, Quinton Durham, Willie Ruth, Mary Wylene ;Sister-in-law; Elizabeth Hogan ;brother-in-law; L.T Bryant ( Mary Louise), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charlie Walter Durham, please visit our floral store. Read More

Charlie Walter Durham

August 25, 1935 - July 18, 2020