Todd Sims Pope

Todd Sims Pope, 64, of Durham, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2024, surrounded by his wife Dana and their three daughters, Mary Kendrick, Laurie, and Elizabeth after a nine year journey with Primary Progressive Aphasia, a rare form of dementia that progressively impairs speech and language. Todd loved music, comedy, history, family, fellowship, his garden, a wild storm, a good story, and meeting new people. He found joy in the little things, laughter in the world around him, and treasured every second he had with each person who crossed his path.
Read Todd's full obituary here.


A Celebration of Life for Todd will be held at Duke Memorial United Methodist Church in Durham, NC, on August 24, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow the service in Whitford Hall. A livestream of the service will be available for those who wish to join virtually.
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In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Camp Kanata’s Annual Campaign (13524 Camp Kanata Road Wake Forest, NC 27587) or to Triangle Aphasia Project Unlimited (171 High House Road Suite 11, Cary, NC 27511).

Carlton Harrell

Carlton Harrell died on May 13th, 2024. Carlton was a retired editor of The Herald-Sun. He joined The Durham Sun as a reporter in 1957, was the editor of The Sun from 1972 until it was merged with its sister paper, the Durham Morning Herald in 1991. He retired as associate editor of The Herald-Sun in 1996. He also wrote a book, Ocean Ablaze, about his experiences as a child on the NC coast witnessing a little known aspect of World War Two that took place off the Outer Banks--German U-Boats waging war against Allied ships.

Carlton was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Audrey Harrell, and we pray for their daughters, Sheila and Melissa in their grieving.

A Memorial Service will be held at Duke Memorial on Saturday, June 15 at 2:00pm. Read more about Carlton's life in his obituary here.

​Bill Wilkie Wilson

Bill Wilkie Wilson died on Monday, March 4th. Bill served here at Duke Memorial on the Council on Ministries and Commission on Education, as an usher, an evangelism messenger, and a stewardship visitor. He was very active in the community, especially in academia and education related to neuroscience and substance abuse.
To learn more about his life you can read his obituary here. 
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A Service of Death and Resurrection will be held at Duke Memorial on Saturday, March 23rd at 4:00pm. We ask you to hold Bill's wife, Linda, their children and grandchildren, and all those who loved him in your prayers.

​Even when we walk through valleys of shadow and grief, we are never alone, for God is our constant stay and guide.

Kathy Searles

February 4, 2024

Kathy Byerly Searles died on Sunday, February 4th, following a courageous battle with cancer. Kathy was raised at Duke Memorial by her late parents, Charles and Iris Byerly, who preceded her in death in 2022. Kathy was a beloved wife, mother, "Tutu" to her grandchildren, sister, cousin, aunt, neighbor, teacher, friend, and precious child of God. To read more about Kathy's life, you can find her obituary here.

We send prayers of love and support to Kathy's husband of 43 years, Tim, their daughter, Jordan and her family, as well as to Kathy's cousins, Fuller, Louis, and Susan Sasser.

May God bring comfort to all of us who mourn and may we find our hope in the promise of Jesus' eternal love.

Eula Miller

December 24, 2023

Church member Eula Miller died in Atlanta, Georgia on Dec. 24, 2023. Eula's family had moved her to a care facility in Atlanta two years ago, but she lived much of her adult life as an active member of the Durham community. Through her careers in nursing, education, and social work, and then her volunteer work later in life, she impacted countless lives in our community. To read more about her long, faithful life, you can read her obituary here.

We send prayers to her family and loved ones in their grief, even as we celebrate the faith we shared with Eula; the faith that promises life and love everlasting through Christ, our Lord.

Susan Kennedy

December 17, 2023

Susan Hovis Kennedy died on Sunday, December 17th, following a years-long journey with Alzheimer's. Susan and her late husband, Joe, enjoyed becoming members at Duke Memorial in their sunset years, before making the move to Croasdaile Village in 2020. Joe died in February of this year. To know more about Susan's life, you can find her obituary here. 
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Susan's sons, Todd and Jay, spoke of her being like a mother hen who would welcome all the children of the neighborhood when they were growing up and would later want to care for all her neighbors at Croasdaile. We give thanks that Susan is now gathered forever under the wings of God, as the Psalmist beautifully declares, "God will spread God's wings over you and keep you secure." (Psalm 91:4a)

Rosa Steele

December 10, 2023

One of our faith family members, Rosa Steele, died on Sunday, December 10th. Rosa's health had kept her mostly at home for the past several years, but it never dimmed her smile nor her deep faith. Many at Duke Memorial will remember Rosa's love of travel, involvement in Bible studies, and service through Stephen Ministry. Read more about Rosa's life in her obituary here.

If you'd like to send a note of love and remembrance to her family, please mail it to her sister, Ernestine Williams, at 1844 Morgan's Mill Way, Hight Point, NC, 27265.

Even as we find ourselves weary in the waiting of Advent and sorrowful in our grief, we remember the faith that Rosa held dear: we are not alone, we are beloved, and we are promised life and love eternal through Christ the Lord.