Gladys L. Durant, 75
Dateline: Norton, MA
Gladys L. (White) Durant, age 75, of Norton, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 4, 2016, surrounded by her loving family, at Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care in Milton. She was the beloved wife of the late James M. Durant who died in 1982.
Born in Boston, MA on August 6, 1940, she was a loving daughter of the late Thomas, Sr. and Christmas (Isles) White.
Gladys grew up in the Roxbury section of Boston and was a graduate of Roxbury Memorial High School. She continued her studies, receiving her bachelor’s degree in education from Boston State Teachers College, and later, after starting her family, returned to Antioch College and received her masters degree in education as well.
A teacher, Mrs. Durant taught in Attleboro schools for over thirty years prior to retiring. After retirement, she remained active with the Attleboro Public School System, serving as a representative and former treasurer of the Bristol County Educators Association, and as a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association and current board member of the retired members.
Gladys was an active member and current Parliamentarian of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Society, Inc. and a previous president of the local Alpha Theta.
Gladys was an active member at Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Brockton and had formerly worshipped at the former John Wesley AME Zion Church in Attleboro. She was also a founding member of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Committee in Attleboro and received a congressional recognition from Congressman Barney Frank.
Mrs. Durant was also a member of the Norfolk-Plymouth County Area Alumni, a member of the board of directors for Community Care in Attleboro and a member of the Norton Senior Center. She had made her home in Norton for over forty years.
She is survived by her devoted son Michael J. Durant and his wife Christine of Brockton. She was the adoring grandmother of Sarai and Micah Durant. She was the dear sister of the late Thomas, Jr., Robert, John, Evelyn and Estelle White and Ordel Armstead, and is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Her funeral service, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Friday, June 10th at 10:00 A.M. in Mount Moriah Baptist Church, 24 Pleasant St., Brockton. Visitation will be held in the church prior to services beginning at 9:00 A.M. Burial will follow the services at Forest Hills Cemetery in Boston.
Visiting hours will also be held on Thursday, June 9th from 4:00-8:00 P.M. at the Norton Memorial Funeral Home, 19 Clapp St. (Off Route 140, Taunton Ave.) Norton.
To send her family a message of condolence, please visit www.nortonmemorial.com