Hoyt Herbert Durham

Hoyt Herbert Durham of Fort Payne died at home Wednesday, December 3, 2008. He was preceded in death by his parents Buford Spenser and Mary Lorene Samples Durham. Survivors include his wife, Joanne Harper Durham; niece Connie Durham and her children, Jenifer Marie Durham and David Lagarde Hancock; nephew, Russell Lowell Durham; and sister-in-law, Marie Lockmiller Durham. A native of Chavies, he was born in 1930 and graduated from Dekalb County High School in 1947. He joined the Alabama National Guard 151st Combat Engineers and served in Korea. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant Major. He attended Jacksonville State University of Alabama. He was a member of Alpha Sigma Chapter of Delta Sigma Pi (professional business fraternity) and was a member of Alabama's Million Dollar Bank. A distinguished musician, he served his church, the First Baptist Church of Fort Payne, as organist for 27 years. As a youth, he played as a member of the Dekalb Knights. He was ordained as a deacon in his church in 1979, and later served as Chairman of Deacons. Active in civic affairs, Durham was, as a young man, a leader in the Fort Payne Jaycees and served as president. The Jaycees nominated him as one of the Four Most Outstanding Young Men in 1965 and awarded him with the distinguished Service Award in 1980. He was a member of Rotary International. He served on the board of directors of the Dekalb County Tourist Association and as president. He was countywide UGF Chairman during its formative years. A life member of Landmarks of Dekalb County, he was president for two terms. Durham was owner, president, and independent agent for the B.S. Durham Insurance Agency. He served on the board of directors of District 11 for the State of Alabama Insurance Department. Durham enjoyed reading, the theater and was a longtime supporter of the arts, including Northeast Alabama Community College's Theatre projects. Although he liked to travel and play bridge, music filled the greater part of his life. His visitation will be at Wilson Funeral Home in Fort Payne Thursday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. The funeral will take place at 11 a.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church of Fort Payne. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the First Baptist Church of Fort Payne or Heartlite Hospice Care (100 West Charlotte Avenue, Scottsboro, AL 35768). Serving as pallbearers will be Kyle Samples of Huntsville, Charles Thomas Scarbrough of Birmingham, David Lagarde Hancock of Anniston, Dr. Jeffery R. Eberhart of Centre, David Walker of Fort Payne, Norman Eberhart of Fort Payne, Stephen Kellett Eberhart of Fort Payne, and Dennis Lane Thompson of Fort Payne. Wilson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Hoyt Herbert Durham

January 29, 1930 - December 3, 2008