10/07/2025
Beverly Ann Durham was born February 19,1948, in Sulphur, Oklahoma, to B. T. (Pete) Peden and Betty Jo (Eason) Peden. She received her eternal entry into the presence of the Lord on Sunday, October 5, 2025, in Nocona, Texas. She was married on July 27, 1968, in Electra, Texas, to Rev. Calvin M. Durham, a young minister from Nocona, and they rejoiced in 57 years of active ministry throughout the world in the Assemblies of God and other organizations as pastor, evangelist, Christian educator, Christian camp speaker and director, and missionary assignments. Beverly was one of the godliest women to ever live, and her vivacious, loving, and Christ-like spirit touched thousands during her lifetime serving as a pastor’s wife and partner in ministry, teacher, and mother. Her smile, compassion, prayer life, and caring personality were traits admired and replicated in countless other girls and women that she mentored by example and love throughout her lifetime. A lover of history and travel she attended Southwestern Assemblies of God University, Midwestern University, East Texas State University, and graduated from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor with highest honors. She traveled on four continents and almost all fifty states in ministry and teaching capacity both as a public, private, and church schoolteacher of history and Bible. As a musician she played the organ, piano, and clarinet. As a lover of music, her voice in singing was always the sweetest in solos and in choirs. In her senior Electra High School Annual, she stated her goal in life was to “study theology,” and on the day of her high school baccalaureate service, she would meet Calvin as he was the guest speaker in her home church, First Assembly of God in Electra. Within a few months they would start dating, and she would experience the beginning of her childhood dream of ministry unto her Lord which never ceased! She is preceded in death by her mother and father, B. T. (Pete) and Betty Eason Peden; her son, John Calvin Durham; and her daughter-in-law, Laura Elaine Durham. She is survived by her husband, Calvin Durham of Nocona; her brother, Gary Peden and wife, Marylin, of Michigan; her “sister”, Sylvia Schaefer, of Temple, Texas; her two daughters, Melody Sheree Durham of Nocona, and Candus Barrett and husband James of Justin, Texas; Daughter-in-law, Melissa Durham Brewer; four grandchildren, Justin Durham and wife Itzia of Katy, Texas, Collin Durham and wife Emily of Vigo, Spain, Bristol Durham of Saginaw, Texas, and Trinity Ann Durham of Dayton, Texas; two great grandsons, Judah Joaquin Durham and Theodore John Durham of their respective homes. Visitation will be at and under the direction of the Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona, Texas, on Thursday, October 9, 2025 from 6:00 – 7:30 PM. Celebration of Life and Funeral will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Nocona, Texas, on Friday, October, 10, 2025, at 2:00 PM. Interment will immediately follow in the Union Cemetery near Cap’s Corner, Texas. A meal for the family will be hosted at the First Assembly of God in Nocona at 11 AM on Friday. Ministers are Rev. Charles Reed, Dr. Larry Martin, Rev. Jill Barker, Rev. Justin Durham, and Rev. Collin Durham. Pallbearers are – James Barrett, Travis Shaefer, Jeff Peden, Arnold Walker, Royce Beck, and Randy Dyer. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the following research project for Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease centered in the University of Indiana. Make checks as follows: Payable to: “Alzheimer Disease Research in Pathology” and in the Memo line please place this information: “I. U. Foundation, Account #038009961 – A. D. Research in Pathology.” Mail to: Dr. Bernadino Ghetti, 635 Barnhill Drive, Medical Science Building, Room A138, Indianapolis Indiana 46202. This is the precise fund that is researching the Frontal Lobe Dementia that Beverly suffered from for many years, and to which she made life saving contributions for future generations of families suffering from the sorrows of this disease.
