Velma Lee Durham

Velma Lee Durham, Jr., was born to Velma Lee Durham, Sr., and
Fern Louise Durham on June 19, 1954, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Velma was fondly known as Lee, Pupi, and Cowboy. Lee Jr. was
the first child out of six children. Lee Jr. was baptized at an early
age at the family church Irvington First Baptist Church under
the leadership of the late Reverand R. H. Noel. Lee attended
Indianapolis public schools. He graduated in the Class of 1972
from Arsenal Technical High School from which he was a
member of R.O.T.C. Upon graduation, Lee Jr. joined the United
States Army. Lee Jr. is a Vietnam Veteran. During his time in
the military, he was also stationed in Germany. He finished out
his career at Fort McCllean in Anniston, Alabama, as SPC4.
He continued to reside in Anniston, Alabama, where he worked
as a truck driver for the Army Depot. Lee Jr. then became an
independent truck driver where he earned the nickname “Cowboy.”
He drove trucks for over 30 years. In 1983, Lee Jr. joined the
Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Of Alabama Pot
O’Manna #478; in this lodge he was a Master Mason. Lee Jr. also
served as the Resident Counsel President where he last resided in
the Community Nursing Rehabilitation Center where they loving
nicknamed him “Vel. Lee Jr.” Pupi would be seen in the middle
of the street practicing his karate moves. He would also be seen
getting his march on with careful practice because he was in the
R.O.T.C. Lee Jr. loved vehicles; he loved driving his first vehicle
he purchased from his Uncle James Robinson up and down the
driveway because he had no license yet to drive on the open road.
Lee Jr. had some amazing dance moves; he was light on his feet.
He loved him some James Brown; most of his summer money went
to purchasing James Brown’s latest hits. Lee Jr. and his brother
had this funny night time routine they did before bed that copied
Temptation moves with the same made up banter that went
something like “Down, Down, by the hen, by the henny henny
hen.” We never knew what it meant, but it meant something to the
brothers. Lee Jr. loved watching cooking shows starting with the
“Galloping Gourmet.” In later years, he loved the Food Network
Channel which fueled his passion for cooking. He loved cooking
for his family.
The snazzy dresser known as V. Lee Durham, Jr., departed this
life on May 12, 2022. He was surrounded by his family in person
and via facetime with his daughter and two grandsons. Lee Jr. was
preceded in death by his parents, V. Lee Durham, Sr., and Fern L.
Durham, two sisters, Brenda Durham Tipton and PVT Carol A.
Durham, and maternal and paternal grandparents.
Lee Jr. leaves to cherish his memory: his daughter NaShonda
Deadre’ Carter, two grandsons, RaShaud L. Drake (Luda) and
LaForest H. Carmichael II (WooWoo) of Anniston, Alabama,
brother, Steven D. Durham, and sisters, Lynn M. Durham and
Dorian E. Durham of Indianapolis, Indiana, and a host of nieces,
nephews, and other extended family and friends.

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