Mary Lois Keyser Durham, 88, died February 1, 2021, after valiantly fighting to
recover from a heart attack late last year. She was born the third of five children,
February 28,1932 in Slidell, Louisiana to Ruby Leontine Scallon Keyser and
Benjamin Emanuel Keyser, Sr.
She was predeceased by her parents, all but her youngest sibling, and her
husband of 26 years, Charles Homer Durham, Jr. She is survived by her brother,
Robert T. Keyser (Gail), of Fairhope, her son, Charles Homer, “Chip,” Durham, III
(Leslie), her daughter, Kimberley Addison (Mark), of Cullman, her grandchildren
Michael Addison and Laura Addison of Cullman, and numerous nieces and
nephews.
She lived much of her life in Mobile, Alabama, where she graduated from
Murphy High School. She was married to Charles for 26 years and had two
children, Chip and Kim. She was a loving mother and an active participant in her
children’s lives serving as a Cub Scout Den Mother, Girl Scout Troop leader, PTA
president, and in numerous volunteer positions.
She began her career at the Mobile Press-Register and later worked at the GM&
O railroad. She was skilled and efficient, excelling at office positions at the Little
Sisters of the Poor and in admissions at the University of South Alabama
Medical Center Emergency Department. She retired from the Alabama Medicaid
Agency to spend more time with family.
Upon retiring, she moved to Cullman to be with her grandchildren and to be
closer to her son and daughter. She was a fun and enthusiastic “Nana” and
shaped her family’s lives with her wisdom and kindness.
In Cullman, she made many new friends, was a member of the Sacred Heart
Altar Society and was a founding member of the First Source for Women
pregnancy center. She loved knitting with her Stitch & Knit group and knitted
countless baby hats for the infants at the hospital nursery and the pregnancy
center.
She traveled frequently, both with friends and the Red Hat Society. In her
mid-80’s she traveled twice to Germany and the Czech Republic to visit her
brother.
Lois was a strong, independent, self-reliant woman whose generosity and
kindness to others was well known. She was a sharp-witted and gifted problem
solver, mastering cross word, jigsaw and Sudoku puzzles with determination
and speed. She found humor in every situation, even near the end when the
struggles of daily life left her exhausted but still determined. She was a great
leader, grandmother, aunt, co-worker, world traveler, story teller, cook, nurse and
best mother anyone could hope to have.
Lois expressed her wishes that no one’s health be placed at risk by her passing;
therefore, no visitation will be held. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at
10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 27, 2021, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in
Mobile. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Vincent de Paul Society,
Sacred Heart Church Cullman, or to First Source for Women, PO Box 1343,
Hanceville, Alabama 35077.
