Obituary

Linda Norton Durden

December 30, 1943 - September 15, 2024 

Linda Norton Durden, age 80 and a resident of Franklinton, passed away Sunday September 15, 2024. She was born on December 30, 1943 in Atlanta, Georgia before moving with her family to Franklinton as a young teenager. Linda would later marry the love her life, the late William “Bill” Durden. She was a longtime active member of Hillcrest Baptist Church, where she taught children’s Sunday school classes for many years. Linda always enjoyed working with, and having fun with, young children, as she also served as a kindergarten teacher at Bowling Green School for several years and at FBC-Playschool for many years. The relationships she had with the children were very important to her. Linda enjoyed social activities with her friends and was active in the Winbury, Shasta, Waverley and Magnolia Belles women’s clubs in Franklinton. She always looked forward to their monthly meetings and the civic projects each club engaged in during the year. Linda was also devoted to her family and loved to attend every school function and activity of her daughter and later her beloved grandchildren. She never missed a ballgame, dance recital or anything and cherished the time she spent with them, including a great trip to Gatlinburg just this summer. Linda also liked to travel with her close friends and family going on countless vacations, camping trips and LSU games through the years. Recently, Linda spent many fun days with The Council on Aging in Franklinton and enjoyed visiting with the new friends she had met and the wonderful staff each time. She will be fondly missed for her fun personality and caring nature towards young children and all her many friends.

Survived by: Daughter: Debbie Jarrell of Franklinton; Grandchildren: Taylor Elizabeth Jarrell and Preston Russell Jarrell; Brother in law: Paul Alford of Mt. Hermon; Niece and Nephew: Theresa and Gene Consterdine; Great-nieces: Victoria Consterdine and fiancé Jacob Perret, Haleigh and Joseph Bergeron; Also numerous cousins and many special friends

She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years Bill Durden, parents Marion T. Norton and Doris Elizabeth Duke Norton, father in law and mother in law Russell Durden and Florena Jenkins Durden, sisters in law Barbara D. Alford, Candis Durden, nephew James Preston Alford and other family members.

A special thank you to longtime special friend and caregiver Brenda Magee for her loving support through the years and also to Mary Fowler for the care she provided.

Visitation will be at Crain Funeral Home Wednesday September 18th from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel at 1:00 pm Wednesday with Dr. Gene Richards and Rev. Dustin Pierce officiating. Burial will follow in the Morris Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Preston Jarrell, Gene Consterdine, Neale Brumfield, Samuel Phelps, Wyatt Phelps, Crockett Comeaux

Honorary Pallbearers are Ron Brumfield, Richard Knight, Dennis Crowe, Stephen Warren