La Trelle Cook Durden, 85, passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of June 5, 2022, at her home, just like she’d always hoped.

La Trelle was born in Savannah, Georgia, the only child of Lester and Doris (Collins) Cook.  She grew up on East President Street, splitting her time between ballet and tap lessons at Frances Tomano’s Dance School, playing in Colonial Park Cemetery, and racing the boys, proudly earning the title of 2nd fastest kid on their block.  During her teenage years, La Trelle attended the weekend dances at the CYPA (Catholic Young People’s Association), which was held every Friday and Saturday night, where the dance floor was always full, the juke box played all their favorite songs and you didn’t even have to put a coin in the slot.  They didn’t seem to mind that she wasn’t Catholic.  Later they’d all go over to Livingston’s Pharmacy, to get a Coke or a milkshake.  This was also the place where she tasted her first banana split. In 1955, La Trelle graduated from Commercial High School, where she met the love of her life, David Richmond Durden.  They married in 1957 and had two sons, Michael and Joey. After her boys were older, La Trelle worked at Great Southern Federal Savings Bank and later at Union Camp as a switchboard operator and receptionist, retiring after 19 years of service. She was a longtime member of Bible Baptist Church and enjoyed being a part of many Alee Temple functions, including the Alee Temple Patrol Auxiliary and Tybee Lite Ladies’ Auxiliary. 

Preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, David; her parents; her son, Joey; her daughter-in-law, Christina;  her in-laws, Earl and Susie Durden; her sister-in-law, Beverly Thomas; and brother-in-law, Bob Thomas; La Trelle leaves behind son, Michael Durden of Sautee Nacoochee; granddaughter, Candace Murphy (Jim) of Guyton; Brittany Warren (Jae) of St. Augustine; Lyndsay Fischetti (James) of Bloomingdale; Isabella Durden of Edmond, Oklahoma; great grandsons Owen Murphy, Miles Murphy, Jaeden Warren, Jace Fischetti and Jaylan Fischetti, along with several nieces and nephews.

We will also be forever grateful to two very special caregivers, Melanie Thompson and Anisha Patel.   

Visitation and Funeral immediately following will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 9, 2022 Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel, 4605 Highway 80 East, Savannah, GA.

Remembrances can be made to: Morris Slotin Fund, c/o Alee Shrine Temple, P.O. Box 14147, Savannah, GA 31406.