Katherine Sue Gibson Durden

Katherine Sue Gibson Durden, 90, of The Woodlands, passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, in The Woodlands. Her family and friends will celebrate her life at a Graveside Service at 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Oakland Cemetery. She will be interned alongside her late husband, James M. Durden. Services are in the care of Nobles Funeral Chapel.

Katherine was born in Navasota, on Monday, September 30, 1935, to J. T. (Jim) Gibson and Fern Whitten Gibson. She graduated from Navasota High School in 1954 where she had been in band and was a class favorite. She also was the editor of the high school annual. She attended the University of Texas at Austin and completed her degree work in 1958. While in college, she was a member of Delta Gamma Fraternity and made many friends in the organization. She married James M. Durden in 1958, and they have seen 50 plus years together.

She is survived by her daughters Ann Durden Rush, of Bryan, and Nedra and husband Douglas Zaluski, of Montgomery; her son Robert “Bob” Shaffer Durden and wife Diane Durden, of Arlington; her six grandchildren Danielle and husband, Daniel Simpson, of Keller, Brittany Durden, of Fort Worth, Alex Rush and husband Chris Quan of Houston, and Logan Rush, of Bryan, Jeremy Zaluski and wife Sarah, of Dallas, Maxwell Zaluski and wife Kayla, of Montgomery. She was very proud of her nine great grandchildren.

Sue was a lifetime Presbyterian, a Sunday school teacher, elder and clerk of Session and member of Presbyterian Women. She held several offices with the women and was presented with a Lifetime Membership in the organization. For several years she was a member of Twentieth Century Club, Stephenville, Texas. She served in their offices of the organization. She retired from the Reference Library in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M University, in 1992. She also taught in public schools for five years.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, James M. Durden; her parents, J. T. and Fern Gibson, and brothers, John W. Gibson and James M. Gibson, and Charles and wife Lynnell Durden; her sisters Denise Gibson, Nedra Maddox.

Sue was a woman of deep faith, generous love, and a joyful spirit. She loved Jesus with her whole heart, and her life reflected that love in the way she cared for others every single day. Her Bible was well worn, her prayers constant, and her faith was something she lived – not just talked about.

She had a special gift for taking care of people. Whether family, friends, or strangers, Sue noticed when someone needed help and stepped in without hesitation. She listened, encouraged, cooked, showed up, and gave up freely. She made people feel loved.

Sue also knew how to enjoy life. She appreciated good conversations, shared laughter, and a glass of wine – especially when it meant time together with the people she loved. She believed joy was a blessing and embraced it fully.

Above all, Sue will be remembered for her compassion, her faith, and her unwavering love. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the kindness she showed, and the example she set.

Though she is deeply missed, we take comfort in knowing she is now at peace, resting in the presence of Jesus. Our family would like to extend an invitation to a reception as we continue celebrating Mother's Life following the graveside. We will meet at Los Cabos Mexican Grill, 8731 N Highway 6 Loop, Navasota, Texas 77868.