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Augusta Durham Coulter passed away Friday, February 12,2021, at the age of 97 in Philadelphia, PA.
Gussie, as she was affectionately known, was born to Ray Scott Durham and Willie St. Claire Durham in Chester, Pa. She as the second eldest of eleven children, eight girls : Willie, Marybella, Casceilia, Lula, Evelyn, Ethel, Delores and three boys; Ray Jr., Oliver and Arnold Durham. She was educated in the Philadelphia School System attending Tilden Junior High School and Bartram High School.
On January 21, 1943, Gussie married her high school sweetheart, Enos Coulter. She was 19 and he was 20. Shortly after their marriage, Enos enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed in Pratt, Kansas. Gussie later joined him and in December 1944 they became the proud parents of a daughter, Janice Althea. Upon completion of military service, the couple returned home to Philadelphia where they excitedly welcomed a son, Enos Jr., born December 1946. She and her husband worked hard, she as a housekeeper and he as a heater man at the Westinghouse Corporation in Lester, PA. Their hard work paid off for in 1954 they purchased a home in West Philadelphia where they raised their two children.
In 1967, Gussie accepted a position with the law firm, Dechert Price and Rhoads where she was responsible for overseeing the firm cafeteria and business luncheons. Gussie loved her job. Her strong work ethic, genuinely warm and winning personality, honest character, and above reproach value system won her the admiration, respect, and acceptance of all with whom she worked. She was treated as family and was referred to by many as “Grand Mom” and “Mom.” When the firm moved to a new building the lawyers surprised and honored Gussie with naming the new cafeteria “Gussie’s.” These words were in large neon lights on the other wall and inside a large picture graced the front of the cafeteria. A ribbon cutting ceremony, photographers and great reception marked the occasion. In 1987, Gussie retired from what she called her “home away from home” and her “second family.”
Within a few months of being a retiree, boredom set in and Gussie knew that she still had more to give. Her loving and nourishing personality led her to become a volunteer foster grandparent through Jefferson Hospital. She did this until osteoarthritis started to hinder her mobility. The love and care she bestowed upon infants did not go unnoticed for she received several certificates for her outstanding work as a foster grandparent.
Gussie was a devoted wife and mother and proud grandmother and great grandmother. She loved her family and her life centered around them. Gussie was a worry-wart. She would not sleep until her children were safely home. When the time arrived for them to return you could find her peering out the front door, or standing on the front steps thinking the bush beside the steps would hide her, or if really upset, standing on the sidewalk with an angry, worried look that camouflaged the smile of relief upon their safe return. She worked hard to give her son and daughter opportunities she did not have. Education, respect for self and others and maintaining a strong sense of what is right and wrong was stressed. her grand and great grandchildren loved to spend time with “Mom Mom”, “Grand Mom”, “Grannie”, “Grand Mom Gussie”, “Mom Mom Mom Mom” and Mom with the white hair and knew that she would always be there for them. Her face lit up when they called and visited. It was the same when she was with her brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces. Given her warm, friendly and accepting personality she was, as one sibling stated, “special and the heart of the family”. Her love was not judgmental. Her love was unconditional
Augusta was predeceased by her husband, Enos Coulter Sr., January 2001. She leaves to mourn her one daughter, Janice Coulter Banks; one son-in-law, Gerald; one son, Enos Coulter Jr; one daughter-in law, Ann; four granddaughters; Dominique, Tammy, Monique, Kimberly; one grandson, Nicholas Coulter; eleven great grandchildren; Toure’, Nishe’e, Lauren, Mariah, Racquel, Rodney Jr., Brittany, Kiara, Kameron, Carter and Nicholas Jr.; several great great grandchildren; two sisters; Evelyn Woodard, husband Jimmy; Delores Berridge; one brother, Oliver Durham, wife Veronica; and numerous nieces and nephews.
