Ryan Bynum Durant

FLORENCE – Mr. Ryan Bynum DuRant, 84, widower of Alberta Moore DuRant, died Saturday, July 31, 2021, at his residence after an extended illness. Born July 31, 1937, in Lake City, he was a son of the late James Merritt DuRant and the late Rosalee Thompson DuRant. At the death of his maternal grandfather, Ryan, along with his mother, father and brother Jimmy, moved to Olanta to help his grandmother with the farm. After high school graduation, Ryan attended technical school in Columbia but was happy to leave at the end of the year and return to farming – this time for himself. He married his high school sweetheart (the pretty brunette basketball player from his school bus route) and together they became an integral part of Sardis Baptist Church and the surrounding community, raising crops, livestock and three children. In mid-1970, Ryan made a tough decision and changed careers, taking a second shift position at La-Z Boy Manufacturing in nearby Florence. Although quiet and unassuming by nature, Ryan’s work ethic and respect from co-workers soon made him a popular floor manager in his department. One evening as Ryan and a much higher-ranking member of management walked through the area, another employee greeted the pair. Continuing their walk, the “big boss” turned to Ryan and said, “He called me by my first name, but he called you Mr. DuRant!” Ryan is survived by a daughter, Donna Graham Winchester (Billy) of Florence; a son, Michael Godwin DuRant (Tanya) of Ft. Collins, CO; and five grandchildren, Andrea “Andi” Graham Moore (Kirk), Megan Gerald Winchester, Rylie Bleu DuRant, Ryan Michael DuRant, Jack Thomas DuRant. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and a son, Ryan Bynum (Arby) DuRant, Jr. A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, August 7, 2021, at Sardis Baptist Church with Rev. Burton Welsh officiating. A private committal service will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10 – 11 AM on Saturday prior to the service in the sanctuary of Sardis Baptist Church and at other times at the home 3123 Willow Creek Road, Florence. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sardis Baptist Church, 3129 Sardis Highway, Timmonsville, SC 29161. Floyd Funeral Home, 136 E. Main Street, Olanta, SC is in charge of the arrangements (843)396-4470. www.floydfuneral.com Link to video: http://player.tributecenteronline.com/80211