Austin Taylor Darden Jr.

Austin Taylor Darden Jr., age 89, of Suffolk, Virginia passed away peacefully on December 8, 2025 surrounded by his family. Austin committed his time to Suffolk and its residents. He often said to those he met, "Who are your people?"
Born on May 27, 1936, Austin lived his entire life in Suffolk. Austin was predeceased by his parents, Austin Taylor Darden and Frances Elizabeth Birdsong Darden; sister, Nancy Lewis Darden Willard; and daughter, Melissa Hart Darden Odom.
Austin was a proud graduate of Suffolk High School, Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, VA, and a brother of Phi Kappa Sigma.
Survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Hart Maloney Darden, they were proud of their family: daughters, Frances Birdsong Darden Carden (William) and Mary Austin Darden; grandchildren, Taylor Hart Odom, Henry Hunter Odom III (Grace), Anne Austin Carden Strader (Paul), Emily Shillington Carden Ware (Jack), Elizabeth Birdsong Carden, Catherine Taylor Carden (Connor), Arthur Arden Maloney and Frances Warren Darden Ewing (Zackary); and great-grandchildren, Caroline Darden Strader and Austin's best friend, William Taylor Robinson Strader. Austin, affectionately called Boom Boom by most young people in his life, demonstrated unwavering commitment to his family and to their friends who he welcomed as his own.
Austin was active in Suffolk as a member of Elks Club, Jolly Boys, and Rotary Club; leadership roles of Fine Arts Commission, Historic St. Luke's Church, Suffolk Recreational and Charitable Association, Riddick's Folly, Inc.; Director of Birdsong Peanuts and United Virginia Bank; The Vestry of St. Paul's Episcopal Church; and President of Suffolk Insurance. He was an avid sports enthusiast with his love for golfing with friends, fishing at Hatteras, traveling with his family, and dancing at weddings. Austin looked forward to meeting with Blair, Bobby, Cabell, James, and Lin at The Suffolk Golf Course where they solved the day's problems and shared news.
The family would like to thank two individuals who were devoted to Austin's well-being: Michael White, for his help in the garden growing butterbeans and fretting over cucumbers and Catherinea Sawyer, for her commitment to Austin with her unfailing drive to make his mornings a joy.
Lastly, the family would like to thank the caretakers at Sentara Obici Hospital and Lake Prince Health Center for the loving care they provided to our beloved Austin.
It has been said that Austin Darden was something else. We could not agree more.
As a life-long member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, a graveside service will be held at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Suffolk on December 11, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. led by The Rev. Dr. Keith Emerson. The family will receive friends following the service at the home. R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, Downtown Suffolk Chapel, 509 W. Washington Street, Suffolk VA 23434 is serving the family.
A gift to your favorite charity in memory of Austin Taylor Darden Jr. will continue his belief in supporting local charities. Condolences may be registered at RWBakerFH.com.