Tomie Dell Durham was born on March 7, 1930 to Tommy L. Smith and Georgia M. Redden Smith in Karnack, Texas. She transitioned to eternity to be with her Lord on July 9, 2020. Tomie Dell attended school in Harrison County near Marshall, TX. She accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of Mount Ridge Baptist Church in her hometown. Tomie Dell was married to James Durham in November, 1952 in Dallas, Texas. Moving from the Arlington Park community, she and James moved to the newly built community of Hamilton Park in North Dallas. She was the last surviving original homeowner on her block on Hoblitzelle Drive. After 22 years of marriage, her husband James passed away in January, 1975. For many years she was a domestic worker for private homes, Texas Instruments and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Tomie Dell was the mother of 8 children; Robert, Lorenzo, Larry, Deloise, Denise, Sharon, Calvin and Caroline.
Under the leadership of Rev. J. L. Foster, Tomie Dell joined First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park in its early stages of development, in its original location on Clodus Fields Road. She was one of the first announcing clerks for First Church. She also sang in the choir and was a member of the Mission Board. After the church moved to Bunche Drive, Tomie Dell served as a member of the Inspirational Choir and the Communion Board, later joining the Nurses Guild ministry. She remained a faithful member of First Baptist until her health failed.
Tomie Dell was a strong woman of faith and family. Her favorite phrase when asked how she was doing was simply “I won’t complain”.
Tomie Dell was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Georgia Smith, brothers, Eddie Jewel Smith and Author Smith, husband, James Durham, son, Lorenzo Durham and daughter, Sharon Kay Durham.
Those left to cherish precious memories and continue her legacy of love include, sons, Robert Smith, Larry Durham, Calvin Durham; daughters, Deloise Durham, Denise Ford, Caroline Durham; sisters, Dorothy McCoy of Dallas, Texas, and Jodie McCoy of Karnack, Texas; brother, Wilbert Smith (Martha) of Marshall, Texas; sisters-in-law, Mayme Smith and Betty Smith; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 18, 2020, at First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park, 300 E. Phillips, Richardson, Texas. Interment is to follow at Restland Memorial Park, 9220 Restland Road, Dallas, Texas. A “Come and Go” visitation will be held on Friday, July 17, 2020, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. Only a limited number of guests will be allowed to enter the funeral home facility at any one time to maintain social distancing.