Mary Alice Durham was mentioned in the 8 May 1908 will of her husband W. F. Durham of the County of Essex. She was to receive all estate real and personal during her life or widowhood with the privilege of selling timber on the south side of the dragon Canal or any personal property of her support or the support of her children namely Montague, Smith and Julia, or for repairs. At her death or marriage, property is to equally divided among all my living children. Wife to be executor. [Essex County, Virginia, Wills, Fiduciary Accounts, Etc. 3, page 47.]

A tombstone at Howertons Baptist Church, Howertons, Essex County, Virginia, states:
Mary Sheppard Durham
1861 - 1944

On 24 June 1991, Fred D. Durham stated in an affidavit that:
1. William Franklin Durham married three times and died testate on 13 January 1914 seised of real estate.
2. That the said William Franklin Durham left heirs: his third wife Mary Sheppard Durham whose maiden name was Mary Alice Shepperd (known as “Mollie” Sheppard) and surviving children:
A. Of his marriage to Mary Catherine Courtney (who died on 21 July 1864):
1. Pheida (Ida) Mertine Durham Covington
B. Of his second marriage, to Mary Ataline Durham (who died 21 May 1878):
1. William Franklin Durham, Jr.
2. Roland D. Durham
3. James Ware Durham
4. Tallie Twyman Durham
C. Born of his third marriage to Mary Alice Sheppard
1. Montague Fleet Durham
2. Smith Young Durham
3. Julia Durham Billups
4. Mary Sheppard Durham died 8 October 1944.
5. [not genealogically relevant]
6. William Franklin Durham Jr died on 22 February 1914 and devised to his wife Eva Coleman Durham.
7. The said Eva Coleman Durham died 30 July 1961 in the City of Richmond. She devised to her four grandchildren Anne Coleman Durham, Susan Victoria Durham, Eleanor Durham Angell and William Errett Durham.
8. The said Pheida (Ida) Mertine Durham Covington survived her father but died intestate on 4 June 1916 survived by her husband John Austin Covington, now deceased, and one son Walter F. Covington, and thereafter the son died intestate leaving two children Walter F. Covington, Jr., and Lillian Covington Eisenhart.
Signed Fred D. Durham, 24 June 1991. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 184, page 1.]