Joanne H. Durham

Catherine Joanne Harper Durham was born September 23, 1932, in Birmingham, Alabama and passed away on August 30, 2026. She was the daughter of Henry Elmer Harper and Lois Gertrude Henderson Harper. She and Hoyt Herbert Durham married August 27, 1953. Joanne became a Christian at a very early age, which shaped the rest of her life. She felt that all she did was for God—in family, church, and community—believing that to whom much is given, much is expected. She felt truly blessed, having had many varied experiences and opportunities to serve. She earned a B.S. degree in microbiology at the University of Alabama. While there, Joanne was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority, serving as president during her junior and senior years. At the UAB School of Medicine, she became a Medical Technologist (American Society of Clinical Pathologists) and earned an M.A. in Science Education and an M.A. in Special Education for the Gifted, with 15 additional hours toward an Ed.S. in Gifted Education. As a member of First Baptist Church in Fort Payne, she served in the following capacities: Sunday School teacher for many years, sanctuary choir member, Golden Circle, four Pastor Search Committees, as well as the Long Range Planning, Personnel, and Building Committees. Joanne taught in the DeKalb County Schools and the Fort Payne City Schools for 31 years. During her teaching years, she was chosen as an Outstanding Chemistry Teacher in Alabama by the Alabama Section of the American Chemical Society; served on the Alabama Textbook Committee; developed curriculum for and taught gifted students K–12; served as vice president of the Alabama Science Teachers Association; and served as president of Delta Kappa Gamma and the Fort Payne Teachers Association. Her other community activities included serving as secretary of the DeKalb County Library Board, president of the Fort Payne Jayceettes, a member and president of the Fort Payne Culture Club, Library Book Sale chairman for 12 years, and president of the Alabama Jayceettes. She was chosen as a Rotary Rose and a Woman of Distinction by the Northeast Alabama Girl Scouts. She and her husband were godparents to their great-nephew and great-niece, David Hancock and Jenifer Hancock Wisniewski, and to Susanna Scarbrough and Alex Scarbrough, all of whom she loved dearly. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Lowell Derward and Marie Lockmiller Durham; her nephew, Russell Lowell Durham; and her cousin, James Hugh Dunn. She is survived by her cousin, Ann Dunn Sapp, and her niece, Connie Marie Durham. A Celebration of Life service will be held Thursday, September 3, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church Fort Payne. She will be buried in Glenwood Cemetery following the service, with Wilson Funeral Home in charge. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church Fort Payne, 106 Grand Ave NW, Fort Payne, AL 35967.

Joanne H. Durham

September 23, 1932 - August 30, 2026