Jesse Thomas Durham

A private graveside service will be held on Saturday May 27 at Bethel Cemetery in Wadesboro, NC with Rev. Davi Trotti officiating. The family will gather around noon at Bob and Lisa Blalock’s house at 405 West Wade Street, Wadesboro, NC to celebrate Jesse’s life.

Jesse was born February 22, 1931, in Summertown, TN. He was the youngest and the last surviving child born to the late Robert and Anna Bailey Durham. Jesse was a proud veteran of the US Air Force. He would later go to work for the Internal Revenue Service, retiring as a Special Agent with over 25 years of service. While working fulltime as a special agent, he went to night school and obtained a law degree. Upon retirement from the IRS, Jesse was able to fulfill his dream of being an attorney. He worked first as a public defender and then as a prosecutor for the State of Tennessee before retiring for good in 2001.

A loving family man, Jesse is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sue Gaddy Durham of the home; a daughter, Susan Durham of Cary; and a godson, Frankie Davis, of Franklin, TN. Jesse was very much a prominent figure in the lives of his nieces, nephews, and other young people whose lives he touched. In addition to his parents and siblings, Jesse was preceded in death by a wonderful son, Thomas Mitchell Durham in 2001.

Memorials may be made to the Special Olympics, Morehead Planetarium & Science Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, or charitable organization of your choice.

Arrangements for the Durham family is under the care of Brown-Wynne Cary. Online condolences may be made at www.brownwynnecary.com