Jo Ruth Duran

Services for Jo Ruth Duran, 85, of Henderson, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday September 9, 2009 at Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Matthew Tomlinson and Rev. Macky Buchanan officiating. Interment will be in Bridges Cemetery under the direction of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home.Mrs. Duran died Sunday, September 6, 2009, at ETMC Henderson. She was born October 24, 1923, in Chapman Community. She attended the Chapman School for 10 years and received her diploma from Henderson High School in 1941. She attended Stephen F. Austin State University and obtained her degree in January 1945. After graduation she taught one semester of school in Brookland. On May 24, 1945, she married James "Buster" Duran. They were happily married for more than 64 years. They always enjoyed traveling together and listening to southern gospel music. Mrs. Duran was an avid reader. After returning to Henderson she began working for the REA, where she had worked during the summer months of her high school and college years. She resigned her job at the REA on December 31, 1951. In September 1952, Mrs. Duran accepted a job with Henderson Independent School District as the girl's physical education teacher, retiring in 1982.Mrs. Duran was an active member of Blossom Hill United Methodist Church, where she served as treasurer for a number of years. She was a sorority member of Beta Sigma Phi Chapter- Laurete Theta Omicron. In 2007, she received the Golden Circle Friendship Certificate in honor of her 50 years of membership. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society and The Womens Forum, where she served as treasurer for number of years.Mrs. Duran was preceded in death by her father and mother Dea E. and Nona B. Gossett.She is survived by her husband, James M. "Buster" Duran of Henderson; sister, Freddie Gossett Hale of Troup; nephew, Rick Hale and wife Tammy; great nephews Ricky, Wyatt and Max Hale of Whitehouse; and special cousins, Gerry Gossett and wife Elaine of Clayton, N.C., Bobbie Taylor of Orange, and Billy McNeese of Quanah, Texas.Pallbearers will be Eddie Brooks, Ricky Hale, Carlos Hunt, Bill Alexander, Don Jackson and Hugh Bob Wylie.Family will receive friends Tuesday, September 8, 2009 from 5-7 p.m. at Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Blossom Hill United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 8, Henderson, Texas 75653; or Bridges Cemetery, 1307 Westwood, Henderson, Texas 75654.

Jo Ruth Duran

October 24, 1923 - September 6, 2009