Marilene Artha Durham, 91, of Cranberry Ridge, joined her loved ones in heaven on Thursday, October 10, 2024. She was born in Richwood, WV on December 17, 1932, the daughter of Ivery and Glenn Staunton Russell of Mills Mountain.

Marilene attended Mills Mountain School and was a 1950 graduate of Cowen High School. She furthered her education at Glenville State College and Shephard College, where she obtained her elementary teaching degree. She later attended West Virginia University and received her master’s degree in 1963. She began teaching at Mills Mountain School in 1950 and dedicated 39 years to the students of Webster County. She retired from her lifelong career in 1989 from the Webster County Board of Education.

She was the family matriarch and a proud Christian, having been a lifelong member of the Mills Mountain Community Church. Her spiritual guidance and strong character shaped the lives of her entire family. She was an avid reader who loved her books, enjoyed gardening and picnics. Marilene was a devoted Mountaineer fan and enjoyed watching both basketball and football games. Most of all, Marilene loved her family. Planning and preparing big family meals was the centerpiece of her life and no one ever left her home hungry.

In addition to her parents, Marilene was preceded in death by her husband, James Meekin Durham, brother in laws, Ray Dodrill and Gene Diaz, sister in laws, Wanda Bennett and Lenora Quinn, and brother in law, Lawrence Cook.

Left to cherish her memories are her son, James (Elizabeth) Durham and daughters, Mary (James) Hinkle and Glenda(Dan) Kennedy; sisters Marretta Dodrill and Shirley “Pinky” Diaz; sister in law, Nina Durham Cook; brother in law, Basil Bennett; grandchildren, Logan (Cari) Durham, Faith (Tyler) Cogar, Trace Durham, Gracyn Durham, D.J. Kennedy, Brandon (Brianna) Clark; great-grandchildren, Chad Given, Avery and Cameron Durham, Haley and Zeke Cogar and Reed Clark.

She is also survived by a close-knit group of family, friends, and neighbors. We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to Kanawha County Hospice Care Nurse Mary Canfield and grandson D.J. Kennedy for loving and caring for Marilene in the last few years.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Sunday, October 13, 2024, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at the funeral home. In Marilene’s honor, help show her love for the Mountaineers by wearing your blue and gold. Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, October 14, 2024, at Morris Funeral Home, Cowen with Pastor Linda Dyer and Keith Dodrill officiating. Burial will follow at Mills Mountain Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.morrisfuneralhomecowenwv.com

Services entrusted to the care of Morris Funeral Home.