Mary Ellen Killinger Durham

Dallas, Texas

Mary Ellen Killinger Durham passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 14, 2025 in Dallas, Texas, a day befitting someone who loved deeply and was loved by so many.

She was surrounded by her family, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering devotion to her family and friends. Mary Ellen, Mom, Gag, LaLa, friend, mother, grandmother, cousin…no matter how you knew her, Mary Ellen Durham embodied the principle “Be the Light you want to see in the world” in every aspect of her 80 remarkable years. Her selflessness knew no bounds, and her kindness was a constant source of comfort and inspiration to those around her. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend whose warmth and wisdom touched the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her life was a testament to the power of love, service, and faith, and she will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to share in her journey. Mary Ellen was born in Marion, Virginia and graduated from Marion High School. She proudly attended Mary Baldwin College and continued her education at the University of Texas. Mary Ellen earned a Masters in Social Work degree which enabled her to dedicate her life to helping others. She was a woman of great compassion and generosity, always seeking ways to uplift and support her community. As the founder of Family Dynamics, her private practice, Mary Ellen guided and comforted countless patients with her wisdom, compassion, and understanding. Her family was deeply moved by the many clients who expressed their heartfelt gratitude for her support, even breaking their own confidentiality just to share how profoundly she had touched their lives. Her loving presence, warm embrace, and sage advice were a source of refuge and strength for so many. She devoted her time and energy to serving on the Mary Baldwin Board, volunteering at Gladney House, and working with the Lutheran Synod. Her love of the arts and community led her to become a member of the Junior League of Dallas and a devoted patron of the Dallas Symphony and Turtle Creek Chorale. Faith was the cornerstone of Mary Ellen’s life. She found immense joy and purpose in her spiritual home at Christ Lutheran Dallas, where she was a dedicated member, serving on numerous committees, singing in the choir, and building lifelong friendships rooted in love, faith, and service. Her church was not just a place of worship for her—it was an extension of her family, where she shared and received boundless love. Her ability to find the goodness in every person and situation was a magnet for love and connection. Above all else, however, Mary Ellen’s greatest joy was her family and the unconditional love she gave as a mother and grandmother. Family was everything to her. The joy she had in attending and or participating in her children’s and grandchildren’s activities was palpable. She celebrated family achievements with pride and provided support and comfort during challenges suffered…always offering a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on. She faced each challenge with resilience and gratitude, never allowing bitterness or anger to take root. Instead, Mary Ellen chose gratitude - gratitude for her family, her friends, and the many blessings God had given her - and she chose to be a light to those in her world. Mary Ellen’s love was boundless, her kindness limitless, and her spirit unshakable. She inspired those around her to love fully, live passionately, and give generously. Though her absence leaves an irreplaceable void, her love and legacy will continue to shine brightly in the lives of those she touched.

Mary Ellen is survived by her devoted son, F. Colin Durham, Jr., and his wife, Amara; her cherished grandchildren, Jackson Durham and his wife, Kate, and Zoe Durham; her loving son-in-law, Salvador Gonzales de la Cruz; and her dear grandsons, Luis and Federico Durham, along with many treasured cousins.

Though our hearts ache in her absence, we find comfort in knowing that she is now reunited with her beloved daughter, Heather, and her parents, Vivian and Ralph Killinger, in eternal peace.

In honor of her generous heart, Mary Ellen requested that donations in lieu of flowers be made to Christ Lutheran Dallas in Texas. 

A graveside service will be held at 12 pm on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Rose Lawn Cemetery with a reception to follow at the General Francis Marion Hotel, 107 East Main Street, Marion Va. A recording of Mary Ellen’s memorial service at Christ Luthern Dallas can be found on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@christlutheranchurch-dalla2813?si=5wCffwmuhwJK-vyN and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ChristLutheranDallas

While Mary Ellen may no longer walk beside us, her spirit will forever live on in the countless lives she enriched. May her love will never fade and her memory be a source of comfort, strength, and inspiration for generations to come. Let us not mourn the extinguishing of Mary Ellen’s light, rather; celebrate how brightly it shone. Let us carry forward her legacy by embodying the qualities she exemplified and be grateful for our time with her. Mary Ellen, Mom, Gaga, Lala, we love and will miss you—-- but we remain thankful for the time God gave us with you. Your love and light will remain forever in our hearts.

To share memories of Mary Ellen Killinger Durham, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. This is a courtesy announcement by Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion VA 24354.