John R. Darden

John R. Darden COURTLAND - John Robert Darden, 71, died Sept. 2, 2008. He was born in Isle of Wight County, a son of the late John Moses and Sallie Dilday Darden. John was predeceased by his wife, Virginia Galtress Darden; half brothers, Joseph and Irwin Darden; half sisters, Elizabeth Daughtrey and Margaret Carroll; stepsister, Audrey Wright; and stepbrother, 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. John was a member of Nansemond River Baptist Church in Suffolk. Left to cherish his memory are 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 Friday 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 today from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home and other times 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 St., Courtland, VA 23837 or Partners Among Cats and Canines, P.O. Box 1133, Franklin, VA 23851. www.wrightfuneralhome.org.