Robert Sterling Durham, age 93, passed away on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee, at the home of his daughter.
Robert was born on Wednesday, May 28, 1930, in Stonewall, Tennessee near Chestnut Mound.
He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Robert was stationed in Germany and was part of the American Forces Network as a radio operator from 1951 ~ 1953. One of Robert’s most memorable experiences was the day he flew as a special guest, with other war veterans to Washington, D.C. on an Honor Flight, accompanied by his son-in-law, Marc to visit the War Memorials.
After finishing school and before entering the U.S. Army, Robert worked alongside his father in the family-owned vehicle repair business, Durham’s Garage in Chestnut Mound. Robert was employed by the Chrysler-Plymouth dealer, R.L. Parnell Company for 40 years and after retiring, worked another 10 years at Woodmont Hills Church of Christ. He and Pat were beloved members at the Jackson Park Church of Christ and the Old Hickory Church of Christ.
Robert and Patricia Ann McAnally were married on September 26, 1953, and they were married for 66 years until Pat’s death in 2020. Robert and Patricia had two children: daughter, Shirley and her husband, Marc Banning; and son, Robert “Bobby” and his wife, Denise Durham. Robert and Pat were blessed with grandchildren: Shana Rummage and her husband, Jay, Allen Farrell and his wife, Lacee, Michael Durham and his wife, Becca, Brittney Blaisdell and her husband, Josh, and Alexis Durham; great-grandchildren, Owen Rummage, Olivia Rummage, River Farrell, Ronan Farrell, Bralyn Woods, Sterling Chase, Asher Durham, Cody Tidwell and Alex Blaisdell; and great-great-grandchild, Jemini Karney.
Robert is preceded in death by his parents, James Lester and Beaulah May Durham; and his siblings, James Durham, J.B. Durham and Maxine Durham Kriatsas.
Robert was a talented artist, gifted with drawing. He was also an excellent musician and enjoyed entertaining family and friends on his fiddle. During his teenage years, Robert and his band, The Chestnut Mound Hill-Billys performed on a radio station weekly in Cookeville, Tennessee.
Visitation with the family and the funeral service will be held at Woodbine Funeral Home, Hickory Chapel, 5852 Nolensville Road in Nashville, Tennessee on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon with the funeral following at 12:00 noon. Marc Banning and Ed Slayton will officiate. After the service, Robert will receive U.S. Military Honors and will be buried at 2:00 p.m. at the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 7931 McCrory Lane, Pegram, Tennessee. Those honored to be pallbearers will be Robert and Pat’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers include family and friends. https://www.woodbinefuneralhome.com
Robert’s family appreciates those who so lovingly and compassionately cared for Robert: Nikki Loven, neighbor extraordinaire; Dorothy Maxwell and Lisa Rudie of Home Instead Senior Care and Marketta Crutcher of AccentCare Hospice.
Donations in Robert’s memory: The Wounded Warrior Project 223 Rosa Parks Avenue, Suite 301 Nashville, Tennessee 37203 and Timothy Hill Ranch 298 Middle Road Riverhead, New York 11901.
For more obituaries visit https://davidsoncountysource.com/obituaries/
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