Lois Gertrude Durling, age 83 of Decatur/Atlanta, Georgia, peacefully passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, February 24, 2010. Lois was born February 24, 1927 in Providence, Rhode Island, the daughter of Bert Whitman and Gertrude Buzzell Durling. Lois is survived by nephews and nieces: Harvey Kingry (wife Jeanelle), Dicky Kingry (wife Donna), Phyllis K. Silvers (husband Van), Alice K. Godbey (husband Jeff), and Linda R. Schwenk (husband Cliff). She is also survived by many great nephews and nieces. Lois also left behind her beloved friend and “sister” Doris M. Kingry; as well as Lavora Steen, her devoted friend and caretaker, and many friends. Lois was predeceased by her parents Bert and Gertrude Durling; two sisters, Lillian D. Kingry and Dorothy D. Ratcliff, and nephew Jimmy Ratcliff. Miss Durling was a longtime member of and very active in Decatur First United Methodist Church and several of its organizations. She was a graduate of Erskine College and Peabody College and taught in the mathematics department at SW DeKalb, Grady, and Carver High Schools, and ESOL (Embry Hills United Methodist Church) in the Decatur/Atlanta area. Lois was a 50 year member of and served in several offices of Alpha Delta Kappa (charter member of Upsilon chapter), her home owners’ association board, Better Films of Atlanta, DeKalb Retired Teachers Association, and also participated in many mission activities locally and in Honduras. Lois enjoyed a rich life of travel worldwide with many friends including a recent trip with her great niece Michelle to Thailand. She was a crafter, enjoying many types of needlework. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 27, 2010, 2:00 pm at A. S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home, 2773 N. Decatur Road, Decatur, Georgia; pallbearers are Harvey Kingry, Dicky Kingry, Cliff Schwenk, Jeff Godbey, Tim Dawson, and Henry Mathews. The family expresses appreciation to Mabbett and Barbara Mathews for their many years of love, devotion and most recent care of Lois. A. S. Turner & Sons
