BEVERLY JEAN DURHAM

September 6, 1934 - December 7, 2023

Beverly Jean Durham, 89, passed away on December 7, 2023. She was born September 6, 1934, in Roswell, New Mexico. Beverly was the daughter of Clyde Alonzo Patterson and Mary Gladys Ingle. She was the youngest of eight children. She came to California during the “dust bowl migration” and made her home in Oildale. Growing up, she loved playing sports like baseball and could run like the wind. After Bakersfield High School, she caught the eye of her future husband while working as a “carhop”. In 1953, she married Robert “Bunky” Durham. They started their new life in Bakersfield and had three children. She and Bunky were very fun and sociable people. They were happiest with visitors in their home. Their doors were always open and the kitchen table was a safe haven for both young and old friends. She became quite the sports enthusiast, following the track and football programs of Bakersfield High School and later Bakersfield Junior College. She also kept up with college and professional teams. This gave her something to talk about with all the young people in her life. Bev and Bunky were regular golfers at the Sundale Country Club. Bunky had his big high-flying drives, while Bev kept it straight and steady down the fairway. While her children were still in school, she worked for American National Bank as a receptionist in the President's office. She was such a dynamic and positive person, he gave her business cards with the title “Supreme Commander”. She worked there for a number of years until the Wells Fargo acquisition. She stayed and worked for Wells Fargo a while longer. Her greatest pleasures of all, were her grandchildren. She had so much love and pride in her heart for each of them, always interested in the details of their lives. Bev had a sharp and witty sense of humor, was a great listener, had a generous heart to help others in need and she loved her friends, like they were family. She is survived by her son Frank Durham and daughter-in-law Michele, son Clayton Durham and daughter Christine Dixon. Granddaughters Brianna Heiber, Marissa Durham, and Danielle Durham. Grandsons John and Robert Dixon. Great-grandsons Cade and Callen Heiber. Her extended family, Matthew, Jenny, Maritxu and Jean Pierre Etcheverry. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert “Bunky” Durham. Her brothers Kenneth, Dale, C.A., and Perry Patterson. Her sisters Ruth Savage, Mineola Johnson, and RubyJo Myrick. Services will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 10:00 am at Greenlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home Northeast, 3700 River Blvd. Bakersfield, CA 93305.