Obituary for Jo Carol Law Durham
A LOVING FAREWELL
Jo Carol Law Durham, 90, of Highlands, NC, died April 2, 2024, at home after a courageous battle with cancer. Jo was born on December 14, 1933, in Brooksville, FL to John D. and Carolyn Johnston Law, in the family home that her grandfather built in 1895. She graduated from Hernando High School in 1951 and then went on to study political science and history at Florida State University where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. After college, Jo worked for American Express in New York City and then moved to Atlanta where she worked as a medical librarian at Emory University and then at SunTrust Bank.
In 1964 in Cashiers, NC, Jo married Henry Durham, her long-time sweetheart, and the son of her mother’s best friend. After they married, they lived in Lexington, KY in a small cottage behind the stone house on the Keeneland Racetrack grounds. They also lived in McLean, VA, Greensburg, KY, and Brooksville, FL before finally landing full-time in her beloved Highlands, NC where she had spent her summers growing up. During these formative years, Jo’s parents purchased a small farm on Cheney Lane. This homestead became The Cheney Lane Tree Farm and the Durham family home.
Jo and Henry had two children: Martha Law Durham Schweitz and John Thomas Durham. While raising her family, Jo was active in her community as a Girl Scout leader, treasurer of the Green Country, KY Historical Society, Youth leader at Greensburg United Methodist Church, and UMW member. Over the years, both Jo and Henry enjoyed traveling and often hosted family, friends, and multiple international exchange students. These students were the recipients of Jo and Henry’s boundless hospitality, becoming extensions of the family and who are now dispersed far and wide across the globe. Jo also welcomed (and fed) countless numbers of Sigma Chi fraternity brothers of the Western Carolina University Sigma Chi Chapter in Cullowhee, NC as they worked on the farm.
In her “retirement”, Jo enjoyed gardening, canning pickles, and making raspberry jam, winning at Rook, watching FSU football and Kentucky basketball, and spending time with her grandchildren. Mama Jo, as her grandkids lovingly referred to her, told the best stories and often broke out in giggles during the telling. She will be remembered for her infectious laugh, smart wit, generous gifts, and the unconditional love and acceptance with which she graced us all. Mama Jo was a rare light that made everyone feel special when in her presence.
Jo was predeceased by her parents John and Carolyn Johnston Law. She is survived by her husband, Henry, her children, Martha and Thomas, her son-in-law, Eric, her daughter-in-law, Cathi, and her grandchildren, Carolyn, Elizabeth, and Diana Schweitz, and William and Nathaniel Durham.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Highlands Biological Foundation (501-C). https://highlandsbiological.app.neoncrm.com/forms/jdurham/
A celebration of life will be held later in the summer with family and friends.
Online condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com.
Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Jo Carol Law Durham, 90, of Highlands, NC, died April 2, 2024, at home after a courageous battle with cancer. Jo was born on December 14, 1933, in Brooksville, FL to John D. and Carolyn Johnston Law, in the family home that her grandfather built in 1895. She graduated from Hernando High School in 1951 and then went on to study political science and history at Florida State University where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. After college, Jo worked for American Express in New York City and then moved to Atlanta where she worked as a medical librarian at Emory University and then at SunTrust Bank.
In 1964 in Cashiers, NC, Jo married Henry Durham, her long-time sweetheart, and the son of her mother’s best friend. After they married, they lived in Lexington, KY in a small cottage behind the stone house on the Keeneland Racetrack grounds. They also lived in McLean, VA, Greensburg, KY, and Brooksville, FL before finally landing full-time in her beloved Highlands, NC where she had spent her summers growing up. During these formative years, Jo’s parents purchased a small farm on Cheney Lane. This homestead became The Cheney Lane Tree Farm and the Durham family home.
Jo and Henry had two children: Martha Law Durham Schweitz and John Thomas Durham. While raising her family, Jo was active in her community as a Girl Scout leader, treasurer of the Green Country, KY Historical Society, Youth leader at Greensburg United Methodist Church, and UMW member. Over the years, both Jo and Henry enjoyed traveling and often hosted family, friends, and multiple international exchange students. These students were the recipients of Jo and Henry’s boundless hospitality, becoming extensions of the family and who are now dispersed far and wide across the globe. Jo also welcomed (and fed) countless numbers of Sigma Chi fraternity brothers of the Western Carolina University Sigma Chi Chapter in Cullowhee, NC as they worked on the farm.
In her “retirement”, Jo enjoyed gardening, canning pickles, and making raspberry jam, winning at Rook, watching FSU football and Kentucky basketball, and spending time with her grandchildren. Mama Jo, as her grandkids lovingly referred to her, told the best stories and often broke out in giggles during the telling. She will be remembered for her infectious laugh, smart wit, generous gifts, and the unconditional love and acceptance with which she graced us all. Mama Jo was a rare light that made everyone feel special when in her presence.
Jo was predeceased by her parents John and Carolyn Johnston Law. She is survived by her husband, Henry, her children, Martha and Thomas, her son-in-law, Eric, her daughter-in-law, Cathi, and her grandchildren, Carolyn, Elizabeth, and Diana Schweitz, and William and Nathaniel Durham.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Highlands Biological Foundation (501-C). https://highlandsbiological.app.neoncrm.com/forms/jdurham/
A celebration of life will be held later in the summer with family and friends.
Online condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com.
Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.