Mary Ellen Durant was born on June 18, 1951 in McCormick County, South Carolina to the late Janie Bell Norman and James Ollie Thomas, Sr. She was a 1969 graduate of McCormick High School. She was a faithful member of Open Doors Holiness Church with former Pastor Elder Andrew Thomas.  Mary married Willie Lee Durant Sr. in November of 1969. They were married 51 years.  Mary answered Yes to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 17, 2021 at Self Regional Medical Center.

Mary began her career at the Abbeville Nursing Home as as a CNA. and patient aid. She was also employed at Milliken for over 20 years and was the caretaker of her mother. 

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by five siblings, James Ollie Thomas, Jr., Mary Drennon, Willie Robert Thomas, Elizabeth Wright, Elder Andrew Thomas, and George Thomas.

She leaves to cherish her memories her husband, Willie Lee Durant Sr, nine sons; Willie Lee (Tangie) Durant Jr.  of Appling, GA, Andrew (Kimberly) Durant of Hinesville, GA, Christopher Durant of Greenwood, SC, Michael (Kamiesa) Durant of Birmingham, AL, George Durant (Nakisha) of Plum Branch, SC, Clarence (Marisa) Durant of Lawton, OK, William (Angel) Durant of Charleston, SC, Kevin Durant of McCormick, SC, and Bryant (Sheneshia) Durant of Greenwood, SC. Her daughter, Beatrice (Travis) Jackson of Greenwood, SC. Her grandchildren; Christa, Damar, Ne’Kaiayaia, Marteco, Davon, Jada, Davante, Audrey, DeQuiney, A’Chean, Mataeo, Cyprise, Michael, Dirome, Amon, Malachi, Justice, Kiara, Kevin, Kaleb, Karina, Miracle, Tiara, Christavious, Shartivious, Dakela, Sharquise, Corshonda, J’Cyanna, Joe, San, Tawala, Jay, Nevaeh, Camden, Bryson, Zy’Kevious, Zy’Keis, Dontravis, ZyKeria, and Jeremiah and great grandchildren: Rj, Nyla, Jay, Bud, Mo, Pooh, Black, and Keira-Jaylis. She also leaves two sisters; Ethel Wright of McCormick, SC and Dianna Lucille of Greenwood, SC, two brothers William Thomas (Linda) of Greenwood, SC and Larry (Sandra) Wideman of Greenville, SC, one brother-in-law Cecil Wright of McCormick, SC and one sister-in-law Sarah Thomas of Tory, SC