Laureen "Sweet" Delores Thomas-Duren, departed this life Saturday morning at her home, surrounded by loved ones, on January 28, 2017 after a lengthy illness. Laureen, better known as "Sis" by her siblings, was born in Lynchburg, SC, one of 10 children of the late Walter and Eliza George-Thomas.
Laureen started her education in Lynchburg from 1st through 8th grade. She then left home to attend Wilson High School in Florence, SC. After finishing high school, she attended Garner's School of Beauty Culture and Morris College, in Sumter, SC. After being licensed in cosmetology, she was given a teaching position at Garner's where she taught for 3 years. It was there she met and married the love of her life after just 3 months of dating, SFC Rev. Dr. Carnes Duren, Jr. He and "Sweet" as he called her spent the next 14 years traveling around the United States and abroad with the Army. In 1968, she re-entered Morris College to further her education. While in school, she did some substitute teaching in Lee County, and after a few months was hired as head teacher of the local Head Start program. Laureen was highly motivated after realizing how the children advanced while preparing for public school, so she decided to dedicate her life to that cause and make it a permanent career. Realizing a need in the Lynchburg area, she felt that more children could be served through the Early Child Development program. Since 1969, Laureen pursued even more training at USC in Columbia, , Winthrop University, Rock Hill, Clemson University, Clemson, College of Charleston (Charleston Southern), Charleston, and Coastal Carolina College, Myrtle Beach, SC.
In 1972, along with her husband, and a wonderful team of local individuals, The Lynchburg-Elliot Child Development Center was opened, with a location in Elliot, SC and Lynchburg, SC. The two centers eventually merged into one, and was the first to earn its accreditation in the state of SC. The "center" as it was affectionately called, educated hundreds of children and served the needs of the community for 37 years until its closing in 2009. After her husband's call into ministry in 1973, Laureen supported him as First Lady of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, Marion, SC and Black Creek Missionary Baptist Church, Jefferson, SC. She also found time to be active in many community organization, and was proud of her affiliations with the Order of the Eastern Star-Do Right Lodge, and the National Council of Negro Women.
While our hearts are saddened by her death, her legacy of love and service will live on in the hearts of family and friends. She leaves to cherish her memory her devoted husband of 61 years, Rev. Dr. Carnes Duren, Jr., Army Retired; three daughters, Carzenia (Johnny) Brown of Huger, SC; Valarie Duren-Haywood and Andrena Duren of the home, and Antinetta (Stephen) Summers of Harrisburg, NC. Seven grandchildren, Dominic (LeQuanda), Jonee, Monet, Kiyana (Brown), Layla (Duren), Bethany and Jeremy (Summers), and one great-grandson, Pierson Copeland. She also leaves a sister-in-law, Mary Thomas, and a brother-in-law, James Martin, three special sons, Herman Felix, Jr., Herbert Henry and Patrick "Cakeman" Raven, and a host of beloved in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

NO PUBLIC VIEWING
Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, February 2 at 11am at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 805 S. Harvin St., Sumter with Rev. Marion Newton, Officiating assisted by Rev. Tommie Lee Duren, Eulogist.
Interment will follow in Hillside Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Laureen D. Duren Scholarship fund.
Family will be receiving friends at the home, 67 Lewis Rd., Lynchburg, SC 29080.