John R. Darden
COURTLAND—John Robert Darden, 71, died Sept. 2, 2008.
Mr. Darden was born in Isle of Wight County, a son of the late John Moses and Sallie Dilday Darden.
He was predeceased by his wife, Virginia Galtress Darden, half-brothers, Joseph and Irwin Darden, half-sisters, Elizabeth Daughtrey and Margaret Carroll, step-sister, Audrey Wright, and step-brother, Morris Russell.
A U.S. Air Force veteran, he was owner of Courtland BP and Wrecker Service for more than 31 years, charter member of Courtland Rescue Squad, and an honorary member of Manry Hunt Club and Courtland Fire Department.
He was a member of Nansemond River Baptist Church in Suffolk.
Survivors include his three daughters, Sheri D. Watson (Jack) of Courtland, Teresa D. Villorente (Roger) of Smithfield and Kathy D. Williams (Guy) of Dublin, Ga.; three sisters, Alice D. May (Adrian) of Scotland Neck, N.C., Faye D. Griffin (John), of Daytona Beach, Fla. and Jeanette D. Bussell (Dave) of Jarratt; one brother, Jethro Lee Darden (Lucy) of Carrsville; 11 grandchildren, Jessica and Wesley Watson, Jonathan McClelland (Mollie), Elizabeth McClelland, Abigail, Matthew, Samuel, and Rachel Villorente, Jennifer Graham, Tabitha and Melissa Williams; two great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and a special companion, Susan Judkins.
A funeral will be conducted today at 10 a.m. in the chapel of Wright Funeral Home with the Rev. Randy Green officiating.
Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Courtland.
The family will receive friends at the home of Sheri and Jack Watson, 26505 East Nottoway Drive, Courtland.
Memorials may be made to The Diabetes Association, P.O. Box, 1132, Fairfax, Va. 22038, or Courtland Volunteer Fire Department, 23067 Main Street, Courtland, Va. 23837, or Partners Among Cats and Canines, P. O. Box 1133, Franklin, Va. 23851.
Condolences may be offered at www.wrightfuneralhome.org