On Saturday, June 1, 2019, Heaven rejoiced at the homecoming of Rev. Arnold Conley (A. C.) Durham. A faithful and unchanging man of God, he was a loving husband, devoted father, grandfather, faithful minister, prayer warrior and true friend.
He was employed at Combustion Engineering for 18 years as a welder. He submitted into full time ministry in 1964 and pastored Pleasant Grove Baptist Church for 42 years from 1964-2006. He led revivals in states across the U.S. forming life-long friendships. A.C. served for many years on the board of Rock of Ages Prison Ministry and he received the degree of doctor of divinity from Faith Baptist Institute and Bible College in May 2004. He was a member of a Tri-State Preachers Fellowship.
Rev. Durham was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace Denson Durham and Odessa Tinker Durham, of Trenton; sisters, Bertha Durham Kelly and Lorina Durham Fowler; and brothers, William, Farris (Cotton), Millard, Ralph and Clarence Durham.
He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Betty Smith Durham; three daughters, Marsha (Bruce) Case, of Chattanooga, Denise (Newt) Palmer, of Rising Fawn and Sharon (Tommy) Castleberry, of Trenton; one granddaughter, Rachel Palmer Lynch; six grandsons, Shane (Mandy) Cloud, Heath (Patricia) Cloud, Wesley (Jessica) Palmer, Seth (Tiffany) Castleberry, Adam Castleberry and Cru (Amanda) Palmer; ten great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Share your expressions of sympathy at ryanfuneralhome.net.
We invite all who have been touched by the testimony of his love for the Lord to join us as we celebrate him home. Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 4 from 3-8 p.m. at Ryan Funeral Home and Wednesday, June 5 from noon-2 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Trenton. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, with Brother Shane Cloud (grandson), Brother Ronnie Jones and Brother Larry Sexton officiating. Interment will be held at Payne Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Ryan Funeral Home & Crematory, Trenton.