Jacksonville - A funeral service for Evelyn Durant, age 98, was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at Autry Funeral Home in Jacksonville with Bro. Douglas DuPree and Bro. Jake Sledge officiating. She was laid to rest at Larissa Cemetery.

Visitation began one hour prior to the service, and family received friends at 10 a.m. at Autry Funeral Home, Jacksonville.

Evelyn Durant passed away peacefully April 25, 2026, at The Legacy of Jacksonville.

Nora Evelyn Townley was born November 4, 1927, to Nora Essie May Ivy Townley and Stephen Buck Townley in the West Tempe Community near Livingston, Polk County, Texas.

She learned to read at an early age and attended Livingston schools, graduating from Livingston High School in 1945. Evelyn went on to the Satterwhite Commercial College in Lufkin. Upon graduation in 1946, she came back to Livingston and went to work at the Polk County Enterprise newspaper. In 1952, a WWII veteran, Melton Durant, began working there at The Enterprise as a printer. Melton and Evelyn married July 25, 1953, at the Livingston Church of Christ.

The first few years of their marriage they moved around with Melton learning the printing trade, living in Rosenburg, Lufkin, Nacogdoches and Crockett, before settling in Baytown for 23 years. During this time, they became proud parents of 5 children. They made lifelong friendships there in Baytown. In 1979, Melton retired from The Baytown Sun newspaper and they moved to the country on 62 acres of land outside Jacksonville, Texas. Mrs. Durant worked at the Methodist Readiness School in Jacksonville for 19 years, touching so many young little lives teaching 3 and 4 year olds.

Evelyn had been baptized at the age of 19 in the Long King Creek there on the outskirts of Livingston. With every move, they quickly found a Church home and served in many ways. In Baytown, her involvement at the Lakewood Church of Christ included teaching the toddlers Bible class and VBS for many years, Ladies Bible Class and cooking many a meal in service to others. After moving to East Texas, she continued in teaching and assisting in Bible class, VBS, Ladies Bible Class, card writing, showers, and meals. She taught Bible classes for over 30 years, touching so many with her love for the Lord. Evelyn was a faithful member of the Bullard Church of Christ until her health made her unable to attend but she continued to encourage others with her card writing. Daily Bible reading and personal devotions helped to keep her faith strong.

She enjoyed reading, working jigsaw puzzles, word search, and made many crib blankets for baby gifts. Mrs. Durant was a fan of the TV show Jeopardy and enjoyed listening to country music, especially George Strait and Alan Jackson. She enjoyed cooking for family and friends; her homemade jellies and preserves were especially good on her yeast rolls. Mrs. Durant loved watching birds and taking care of hummingbirds.

Preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Melton Durant, daughter, Carol June Durant, siblings Bessie White, Talley Ivy, Fay Moore, Steve Townley and Etta Smith and son-in-law, Jamey Dement.

Mrs. Durant is survived by her sons: Bruce Durant and wife, Diane, of Henderson, Buck Durant and wife, Miki, of Bullard, Gene Stuart Durant and wife, Denise, of Jacksonville: and her daughter, Amy Dement of Bullard. Also 12 grandchildren: Adrianne Durant, Nickolas Durant, Gregory Durant, Lana Llanas and husband, Pedro, Lindsey Durant, Allison Way and husband, Randy, Jason Dement and wife, Jaley, Jana Delaney and husband, Chase, Megan Shepherd, Kyle Shepherd, Bucky Durant, and Dakota Durant. She is also survived by 19 great-grandchildren and one more on the way; her sister, Becky Bobo, sister-in-law Dorothy Durant and brother-in-law Robert Durant, numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Greg Durant, Bucky Durant, Dakota Durant, Kyle Shepherd, Jason Dement, Brad Ehrlich, Chase Delaney, Randy Way and Pedro Llanas. Honorary Pallbearers were her nephews.

The family expresses deepest thanks to the caregivers at The Legacy of Jacksonville and Heart 2 Heart Hospice.