- Date Of Birth: August 22, 1932
- Date Of Death: June 2, 2022
- State: Colorado
Annie Libera Durham (née Ward), a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt
& friend, departed this life June 2, 2022 in Black Forest, Colorado surrounded by her loving family. Annie
was born in Memphis, Texas on August 22, 1932 to John Henry and Rosa Jewel Ward. Annie’s
recollections of her childhood were full of stories of picking cotton, driving mule teams, one-upping her
brother Johnny’s pranks with her younger sister Barbara, and forging her first craft: cooking. Without a
doubt, Annie was a Texas girl born and raised who was as tough as she was sweet. Through her best
friends Lora & Dora Durham, Annie met the love of her life, Billie Jack Durham. The two were married
October 31, 1951 in Headley, Texas, despite the bride getting into a car accident on the way to the
adversity enough to dim her fierce determination.
The US Air Force took Bill & Annie on their first adventure to Albuquerque, New Mexico where they
Durham family would travel all across America, with Annette joining the family in 1958 in Fairbanks,
Alaska, and Jack in 1960. Finally, Virginia “Ginny” completed the family of 7 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
in 1964. Annie’s first career and devotion was as a mother and homemaker. The family especially
enjoyed their time spent in Anchorage & Fairbanks, Alaska. Annie fondly recalled memories of fishing for
salmon, picking blueberries with her children to make her famous blueberry sourdough pancakes, and
sewing fur lined hooded parkas for a truly Alaskan Christmas card photo.
Sparked by her creativity and to help support the family, Annie began to teach herself cake decorating
while in Alaska. Already a talented baker and cook, Annie spent long hours practicing her new craft with
an icing bag and a rose nail in the dark Alaskan winters. It wasn’t long before she became well known for
her lifelike iced roses and delicious, extravagant cakes. When the family moved to Colorado Springs,
Colorado, Annie continued to decorate cakes, even opening a shop near Memorial Hospital and later
bringing the business into her own kitchen. While her cakes were sought out for weddings, anniversaries
and other special occasions, Annie’s favorite cakes were the ones she made for her family. Every
3D carousel with cookie horses. Every birthday it was always fascinating to see what she would come up
with next!
Annie’s love for her family and her strong faith in God helped her weather adversity. Whether it was loss
in the family, a battle with leukemia, or losing her husband Bill, Annie was steadfast as the matriarch of
the Durham family. She lived for celebrating graduations, baptisms, weddings and even horse shows with
the children in her life. If being a beloved Mimi wasn’t already a dream enough, she has been blessed
with a gaggle of great grandchildren to adore as well. There was nothing Annie loved more than a little
baby in her arms. Annie was a lifelong proud Southern Baptist and a long time member of First Southern
to rejoice in the Lord in good times. She was a devout student of the Sunday School, if for no other
reason than the group would lament the absence of her pastries, coffee cakes and other delicious treats!
Annie will be welcomed into Heaven by her parents John & Jewel Ward, her brother Johnny Ward, her
sister Nita Adams, her daughter Annette Durham, and her granddaughter DeAnna Durham. She is
survived by her son Dale Durham (wife, Joy), daughter Gail Ross (husband, Chuck), son Jack Durham
(wife, Jodi), and daughter Ginny Vinson-Durham. Her grandchildren Erin Price (husband, Matt), Chris
Durham (wife, Jen), JT Durham (wife, Melissa), BJ Ross, Cassie Siegel (husband, Zach), Josh Durham (wife,
Becca), and James Vinson. Her great-grandchildren Mikayla & Hunter Price, Wesley, Trevor, Luke & Sadie
Durham, Jolene Durham, and Mason, Aiden & Tate Durham. Additionally, her cherished sister Barbara
Elem (husband, Jodie) and a wealth of nieces and nephews who adored their Aunt B. And finally, her
adored Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Sheba Durham-Siegel.
Colorado Springs, Colorado at 12:00 pm.
Colorado at 3:00 pm.
Coalition at
