Mozella (Patton) Durgan

Mozella (Patton) Durgan, 70 years old, passed away at 4:07 p.m. on October 15, 2023 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL.       

She was born on May 4, 1953, in Blytheville, AR, to the late Helen (Buckner) Patton and AD Patton. She was educated at “school" in Blytheville, AR. She professed her life to Christ at a very young age. 

Mozella married Carl Edward Durgan, Sr., in 1972 and had five children before they divorced in 1992.

She enjoyed playing spades, listening to her jams, dancing, and spending time with her family and friends.  When her husband was in the military, they traveled to Okinawa, Japan, Germany, Huber Heights, OH Trotwood, OH and Indianapolis, IN.  They lived in Danville, IL and Rantoul, IL, finally settling back in Danville, IL.  

Mozella always was the mother figure to everyone she came in contact with, very spicy and raw at times, but always let you know that she "loved you to the moon and back." Even when her health prevented her from traveling, she wanted to always be around her children and grandchildren. She always made a way and told everyone how much she loved her children. 

In her final months, she again gave her life to Christ.  Mozella passed away with whom she always wanted to be around, her family. She was always the life of the party, and we know she is dancing in the high heavens and looking at us below, whispering, "Hey, you know I love you to the moon and back.”

Mozella leaves to cherish her memory her children, Felicia Durgan, Carl Edward Durgan Jr., Maurice Durgan, Adrian Durgan and Carla Durgan- Reddy; beloved grandchildren, Shaniqua Durgan, Di’MauraDurgan, Cierra Durgan, CeCara Durgan, Cyrah Durgan, Cayden Durgan, Elena Durgan, Aiden Norris, and Amya Durgan; 2 great-grandchildren (Shaniqua’s kids);  her siblings, Inez Brown, Clyda (Lou) Patton, A.D Patton, J.D. Patton, Gary (Will) Patton, Rick Patton, Larry Patton, Thomas (Fats) Patton all of Danville, IL, Kathy Patton and Terry Patton of Rantoul, IL, Nick Patton of Joplin, MO, Carrie Patton of Blytheville, AR, and KCI (Rabbit) Patton of Florida. 

In addition to her parents, Mozella was preceded in death by her common law husband of 32 years, Bill Russell Pannell and her 5 siblings, Robert Patton, Theodore Patton, and Bessie Bullock all of Danville, IL and Ruth Patton, and Ben Patton of Rantoul, IL.

Fly high Mommy, we love and miss you all the way to that moon and back.

A celebration of life will commence at 11:00 am Friday November 3, 2023 at New Life Church of Faith 1419 N. Bowman Ave, Danville. Eulogist: Pastor Clyde Jones. A visitation will begin at 10:00 am until the start of the service. Burial will follow at Sanhill Memorial Park.

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