Franklin Wilson Durant

Franklin Wilson DuRant, age 76, died Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Born on May 6, 1945, he was the son of the late Woodrow Wilson DuRant and Charlotte Marie Tyson DuRant. He served in the South Carolina Army National Guard working in the Darlington Medical Unit. He retired after 30 years with the rank of Platoon Sargent. Franklin then worked as Chief of the Fire Brigade and Hazmat Squad at DuPont for 40 years, and also for McLean Trucking Company for 11 years. He would also serve as a volunteer fireman in Mechanicsville. He enjoyed tinkering in his shop and going on fishing trips with Billy Mahn. Franklin was a member of Black Creek Baptist Church, and more recently attended Dovesville Church of God. Surviving are his wife of almost 52 years, Gloria Edwards DuRant; two daughters, Pamela DuRant and Paula DuRant Salvo; one grandson, Woods Salvo; sister, Marie (James) Howle.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Marvin Walter DuRant and John Thomas "J.T." DuRant and sister-in-law, Carolyn DuRant Odom.

A graveside service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 7th at Black Creek Cemetery, with military honors provided by the SC Army National Guard. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Belk Funeral Home in Darlington. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to McLeod Hospice House, PO Box 100551 Florence, SC 29502; or to St. Jude Children's Hospital, www.stjude.org.