Frances P. Darden

Published 1:43 pm Tuesday, February 11, 2025

COURTLAND – Frances “Pam” Phelps Darden, 86, of Courtland passed away on Feb. 10, 2025 at East Pavilion in Franklin. Pam was born on May 8, 1938 to Edward Everard and Virginia Kanipe Phelps in Richmond, Virginia at Johnston-Willis Hospital. Pam was raised on the family farm in Purdy, Virginia. Pam was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, James “Jimmy” Phelps, a nephew, Randy Phelps, and a niece, Pamela Phelps Harrell.

Frances P. Darden

Pam graduated from Greensville County High School in 1956 and the University of Virginia School of Nursing in 1959, where she earned her RN. She was married to Russell Edward Darden for 50 years until his death in 2009. They moved from Charlottesville to Franklin where she started her nursing career at Raiford Memorial Hospital and Southampton Memorial Hospital. She retired in 2000 as the Nursing Supervisor and head nurse of the Labor and Delivery Department after 45 years of service.

Pam was an active member of Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church in Courtland, a Brownie Scout and Girl Scout leader, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Hicksford Chapter, a member of the Pinecrest Garden Club, member of the Southampton County Historical Society, a Hospice care volunteer for several years and a volunteer at East Pavilion for 20 years. All-the-while raising her children, grandchildren and supporting Russell in the multitude of organizations he was an active member of.

Left to cherish Pam’s memory are her three children, Elizabeth Francis (Keith) of Sedley, Kathryn Holland (Chris) of Alton, Illinois and Robert Edward Darden (Sheila) of Courtland; eight grandchildren, Walt Francis, Sarah Francis, Rachael Holland, Rebecca Holland, Taylor Ann Darden, Robert Edward Darden Jr, Hunter Lee Darden, and Alexandra Darden; two sisters-in-Law, Delight Andrews (Glen) of Rocky Mount, North Carolina and Peggy Phelps of Gloucester; a nephew Micheal Joyner (Diane) of Richmond.

Pam also leaves behind her devoted and best friend and former co-worker of 65 years, Jean Barker; her good friends, Shirley Lee, Gail Phillips and Sally Owens and a host of friends from coast to coast. Her quick wit and humor will be sorely missed.

Pam loved being a nurse. She loved the devoted and hard-working nurses she worked with throughout her long career. Always smiling and willing to give 100 percent in everything she did, never putting herself first, always a nurse caring for others.

The family would like to thank those who lovingly cared for Pam throughout her battle with Parkinson’s Disease: in-home caregivers, Thelma, Lavonda, LaTrise, Tonya and Dianne. Thanks to the staff of East Pavilion and the hospice care group Gentiva.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 17 in St. Lukes Episcopal Church with the Rev. James W. Browder III officiating. Burial will be private. The family will receive friends from 2 – 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16 in Wright Funeral Home and suggests memorial donations be made to St. Luke Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 156, Courtland, VA 23837 or Courtland Fire Department, 23067 Main St., Courtland, VA 23837.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org