Lisa Louise Durham

Lisa Louise Durham (formerly Sainsbury) was born November 5, 1963 in Norman, Oklahoma to the late John Michael Durham and late Clara Louise Pittard Durham. Raised in Decatur, Georgia with her two sisters, she grew up playing outside with friends and waking up early on Saturday mornings to check the TV lineup and plan a day of cartoon watching. She was a “tomboy” who loved playing with her hamster and action figures “Steve and Bob Scout.” Painting was Lisa’s passion, and she injected humor into colorful, happy, beautifully chaotic paintings that live on the walls today. Her gift as a painter earned her a degree from Savannah College of Art and Design. Lisa had a disarming humor and uncanny ability to make friends from all walks of life. She shared this vibrancy of life with those around her. Her personality and life were as colorful as her paintings.

Without a doubt, the greatest joy of Lisa’s life was raising her young children Michael Samson “Sam” Sainsbury and Clara Louise Sainsbury. For Lisa, the world should always be a blast for children. Rather than put locks on the kitchen cabinets, Lisa removed dangerous items and stocked pots and utensils the kids could play with while she cooked. She converted giant packing boxes to a colorful series of tunnels for Sam and Clara to play in. She encouraged drawing on the walls, commenting that she could just paint over it later. To create a feeling of home wherever they lived, Lisa painted personal canvasses for each child to always have in their rooms. When life took Lisa and the family to West Point, NY, they had the opportunity to spend weekends with her sister Noel and her nephews Gabriel, Elijah and Asher. These were some of her happiest times watching the children enjoy life together.

Lisa lived with bipolar and faced a long struggle with mental health. She passed away at the age of 61 on March 23, 2025.

Lisa is predeceased by her son Sam. She is survived by her daughter Clara, her sisters, Andrea and Kimberly Noel and her nieces and nephews.