She graduated from Altamahaw-Ossippee High School in May of 1945 as May Queen. Mary Ruth was the first and only of her siblings to attend college and enroll in a business course at Elon College and received her Associates Degree in June of 1946. After graduation, she became office manager at Duke Power Company in Graham, NC.
After moving to Greenville, SC in 1962 she began a 30 year career in sales at Ivey’s and Dillards. She loved her job, won many sales awards and had a special knack for finding just the right dress for her customers’ tastes. Upon retirement, she enjoyed gardening, travelling, playing bridge and church activities at Aldergate United Methodist Church.
Her whole life was centered around her devotion to her two sons and husband. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Ross and Curtis Beckom; and 1 sister, Irene Beckom Andrews. Mary Ruth is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Alton Thomas Durham; 2 sons, Larry Neil Durham (Judy) and Daniel Charles Durham (Pamela) all of Greenville, SC; 2 siblings, Frances Kellam and Ben Beckom, both of Burlington, NC; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service at Aldersgate United Methodist Church will be announced at a later date.
A private burial will take place at Woodlawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Mary Ruth’s memory.
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