Ophelia Durham was born on September 20, 1938 in Pelham, Georgia. She was the eleventh of twelve children born to John and Lilla Bryant.

At an early age, Ophelia accepted Christ at New Hope Baptist Church in Pelham, GA.

Ophelia attended Mitchell County schools, graduating from  Mitchell County Training School in Pelham, GA. After high school, Ophelia migrated to Cleveland, Ohio where she obtained employment at Venus Clothing Factory as a Clothing Inspector.

Ophelia married Charlie Durham on August 29, 1959, in the home of her aunt Zena Bell. The couple had three sons; Frederick Ellis, Wallace Ferdinand, and Keith Quinnell.

After the birth of her second son, Ophelia became a dedicated housewife. She was also held the role of second in charge of Charlie Durham and Sons Construction Company, which Charlie created with the boys in mind. 

She was the master chef!  She made chicken, greens, rice, and her famous corn, pound cakes, and sweet potato pie were the best. She was also known to meet up with her Sisters Society Dieter’s Club members for lunch.  Ophelia was also an avid power walker - she was fast!

Ophelia was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, mother-in-law, and friend who was loved by all. She had a distinct laugh that endeared her to everyone! 

She peacefully departed this life on Saturday, May 27th at 11:20 PM. She was preceded in death by her parents, loving husband Charlie Durham, sisters Lucille Thomas, Estelle Gay, Annie Bryant, Flossie Lamar, Addie Cochran, Armelia Sims, brothers Johnny, Earl, Louis, Ben Bryant and grandchildren Simona Ayres and Adrian Durham.

Ophelia leaves to cherish her memories, children Fred, Wallace, Keith (Denise), children-in-love Kenneth Lamar and  Vicki D. McDowell-Horne, grandchildren Fredrick Durham Jr., Lauryn Durham, Whitney Durham, Vernique Lamar, Kanifya Lamar, Kenneth Lamar Jr., Rashad Davis (Christy), and T’Keyah McDowell, seven great grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren, sister Elizabeth Hogan, sister-in-laws Helen Bryant, Willie Ruth, Mary Wylene, Mary Louise Bryant, Ralphie Durham, and Betty Durham, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.