SUFFOLK — Jethro Lee Darden, 73, passed away on May 14, 2016.

He was a son of the late John Moses Darden and Sallie Dilday Darden, and was also predeceased by a brother, John Robert Darden.

Jethro had retired from International Paper (Sheet Finishing Department) after 40 years of service. He was a member of Beaver Dam Baptist Church, and an honorary member of the Community Hunt Club.

Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Lucy Darden; two sons, Everett A. Darden (Laura) of Isle of Wight County; and David Goff of Richmond; a stepdaughter, Billie Jean; two stepsons, Bernard and Dennis; three sisters, Alice Jean May (Adrian) of Scotland Neck, North Carolina; Faye Griffin (John) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Jeanette Bussell (Dave) of Jarratt; 13 grandchildren including, Devin Peavy, who was raised by his grandparents; and his beloved dog, Buck.

The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18, in Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, with the Rev. Matthew Johnson and Tim Rawls officiating. Burial will follow in Beaver Dam Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family received friends on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home, and suggests memorial donations be made to a favorite charity.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org.