Mabel W. Darden
SUFFOLK—Mabel Skeeter Weaver Darden died July 20, 2009.
Born Aug. 15, 1905, in Baltimore, she was the second child of 11 siblings born to Ferdinand and Daisy Skeeter.
Mrs. Darden was preceded in death by both parents; six sisters and three brothers; two husbands, Lee P. Weaver and Jay T. Darden; and her children, Charles T. Weaver and Lee P. Weaver Jr. Mabel attended Mount Arat Church in Skeetertown (community of Suffolk), where she received her spiritual guidance.
She met and married Lee P. Weaver in New York. There, they established the Weaver Funeral Home in Manhattan, the official funeral home for Convent Avenue Baptist Church.
At one time, this business was the busiest in Harlem, N.Y. They were married for 50 years.
After being a widow, she met and married Jay T. Darden, also of Suffolk (Holland community).
They moved back to Suffolk, where he passed in 1977.
She continued to live on her own until she was 97, after which she took residence at Nansemond Pointe Rehab & Health community.
She was the oldest resident and the oldest living Skeeter in Suffolk.
She leaves to celebrate her life her grandchildren, Jacqueline A. Bryan (David), Robin S. Weaver, Peter C. Weaver and Deidriann T. Sands (David), all of New York and Tia L. Morings (Frederick) of Suffolk; six great-grandchildren and two great-great-granddaughters; one brother, Fred Skeeter Jr. (Elsie) of Suffolk; two devoted daughters-in-law, Doreth Weaver (Charles) and Joan Weaver (Lee), all of New York; and one sister-in-law, Margaret Skeeter (Dan) of Suffolk; and a host of nieces, nephews and family.
The family would like to thank the staff at Nansemond Pointe Rehabilitation community for the care and love shown to their loved one.
Services will be held today at 11 a.m. in Mount Arat CUCC Church, Suffolk.
Peebles Funeral Home, Suffolk, is in charge of arrangements.