Deborah Backus Durham

Deborah Backus Durham, 75, died Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at her residence.
Born on November 8, 1936 in Savannah, Georgia, she was a daughter of the late Henry Lindsley Backus, Jr. and Margaret Thompson Bell Backus. She was married to Douglas Divers Durham, who predeceased her in 1995.
She had been a resident of Danville since 1968 and had been employed with the Danville School Board since 1977. She was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany and a member of the Junior League of Roanoke. She was known throughout the community for her philanthropy to many charitable and artistic organizations.
She is survived by two sons, William Durham of Staunton, VA and Richard Durham of Charlottesville, VA; three daughters, Cynthia Durham Hubbard of Dry Fork, VA, Sarah LaPrade of Charlottesville, VA, and Elizabeth Hallinan of Durham, NC; six grandchildren, Andrew LaPrade, Margaret Hallinan, Madelyn LaPrade, James Hubbard, Rachel Becker and Jason Durham; and a brother Henry Lindsley Backus III, of Savannah, GA.
Graveside Service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 26, 2012 at Bonaventure Cemetery.
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to God's Pit Crew, 2499 North Main Street, Danville, VA 24540 or to God's Storehouse, 750 Memorial Drive, Danville, VA 24541.
Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel