Mr. Charles Porter Durham, age 91, of Trion, GA. died Friday, September 7, 2012 at his residence.

Mr. Durham was born October 1, 1920 in Chattooga County, GA, to Claude and Maggie Durham. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen Day Durham; a son, Charles Mack Durham; brothers, William Hershel Durham and Billy Durham and sister, Margaret Houston.

In 1942, Porter, with 9 charter members founded, organized, and built New Bethel Baptist Church.  Porter has served in nearly every office in the Church. He was one of the first deacons.  He taught Sunday School for 50 years.  He has been Choir Director for most of the history of the church and he was the last surviving charter member.  Porter was founder of the Old Wilmyre School, where he was the first trustee.  Porter was a Riegel Textile employee for 47 years.  He served as a shift foreman and he was assistant maintenance at retirement.  He was one of the second group winners of Zero Defects and he was a Quarter Century Member. In1944 he was inducted in the United States Navy, where he served aboard a destroyer, the USS Farguar DE 139 in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. During his service on board ship he served as Chaplin and he held Devine services in the mess hall each Sunday.

Mr. Durham is survived by his wife, Virginia Parker Durham; sons and daughter-in-law, Dennis Durham, of Trion, GA and Don and Pam Durham, of Summerville, GA; stepsons and wife, Larry and Joyce Parker, Rock Spring, GA, and Billy Parker, Trion, GA; 12 Grandchildren; 13 Great Grandchildren; and a host of Nieces, Nephews and many friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, September 10, 2012 at the New Bethel Baptist Church, Trion, GA., with Rev. Robert Patterson and Rev. Jason Cowart officiating. Burial will follow in the West Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ralph Southerland, Merdie Reeves, David Peace, Horace Payton, W.J. Keith, Adam Payton, David Parker and Cory Parker. Honorary Pallbearers will be all members of New Bethel Baptist Church.

Mr. Durham will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 9:00 p. m. Sunday, September 9, 2012. Mr. Durham will also lie in state at the church from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of the service on Monday.

Mason Funeral Home is directing.