Marie Bagley Durant was born on June 22, 1927 to Mr. William and Nona Bagley in Wilson, North Carolina. She was the baby of five siblings. At the age of 19 years old, now a mother; she left the south in pursuit of a better way to make a living for her and her oldest daughter Christina Bagley. She met and married Mr. Clyde Vincent Durant. From this union were born two children, Clyde Durant, Jr, and Sharon Durant. Mother Durant also took on the responsibility of adopting of raising her son Clyde’s four children after his passing. Mother Marie Durant was a licensed Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While living in New York City she witnessed and preached on the streets the Good News. She taught all of children well and raised them “on their knees”. Her daughter Sharon especially thanks her mother for every “No.” “You cannot.” “I don’t care what other children are doing, you can’t.” Her daughter Sharon will also hold dear in her memories the fact that she held her mother’s hand for 63 years, and she will forever be grateful of the seeds her mother planted in her life and the lives of others during her earthly life. Mother Marie Durant will forever be remembered for her love for God, her works of the ministry, her exuberant praise, worship, and dance, her words of encouragement, her love for everyone, and her prayers and dedication to God, her children, and her family and friends. Mother Marie Durant departed this earthly life and entered into her Heavenly home at 6:45AM on Tuesday, December 8th, 2020. She is preceded in death by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Nona and William Bagley, her husband Mr. Clyde Vincent Durant, Sr., her daughter Ms. Christine Bagley, her son Mr. Clyde Vincent Durant, Jr., and siblings, Mrs. Viola Morris, Mrs. Alberta Sheppard, Mrs. Naomi Gray, and Mr. Herbert Bagley. Mother Marie Durant leaves to mourn and honor her life and legacy her daughter, Mrs. Sharon (Deacon Clarence) Durant Perry (Flowery Branch, Ga.), Grandchildren she raised as her own, Mr. Ivan Durant (Plainfield, NJ), Mrs. Lakita Syvester (NYC, Ny.), Mr. David Durant, and Mr. Titus Durant (Buford, Ga.); special friends whom she adopted in her heart, Mother JoAnn Nobles (best friends of 50 years), Mrs. Henrietta Jones (friends of 30 years) who states “Mama taught me how to pray.”, and Bishop Robert Winley and the Winely family of the Soul Saving Station of New York City). Mother Durant later joined the Antioch Baptist Church, Gainesville, Ga. under the pastoral leadership of Rev. R.A. Lackey, Sr. where she was an active member of the Silver Saints Ministry. She developed special friendships and special sons and daughters that will never be forgotten and who were in her heart, Minister Marilyn Dixon (Ministry Leader of the Silver Saints of Antioch), Deacon and Minster Cecil and Alwayne Randolph, Sis. Christine Curry, and Mother Betty Hopkins. She leaves to grieve a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends who will all never forget her memory, care, and love. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring unto him.” 1 Thessalonians 4:14
The visitation for Mother Durant will be Sunday December 13th at Wimberly Funeral Home between the hours of 12-8pm. Mother Durant's Celebration of Life will be Monday December 14th at 1pm at Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel. Professional Service Entrusted to Wimberly Funeral Home.
