Ralph Darden, Jr.

On May 1st, 2025, God in His infinite wisdom called Ralph Darden (76) to his eternal home of

peace and tranquility. He was born on May 30, 1948, to the late Ralph Darden Sr. and Eva Mae

Darden in Wayne County. He received his primary education in the North Carolina (NC) public

school system. When our granddaughter Myisha came to visit him, he told her that we had to let

him go and started to cry. Leading up to his final days, Ralph said that the Holy Ghost told him he

was free. He was always quoting scriptures.

He had a given talent from God to drive heavy equipment and he utilized these talents

everywhere he went. He began his career with CC Mangum Construction for a short time and

was later employed with Braswell Construction Company for over 20 years. He loved his job. He

was told that he was the best Operator Engineer in North Carolina and the District of Columbia

(DC).

He relocated to Washington, DC and began working at Capital Paving Inc., and was there for over

20 years. Ralph retired three times from construction and was still working prior to his health

failing. He was very proud of the work he did and often bragged about it.

Ralph was a devoted servant of God who loved his family, friends, and church families near and

far. He accepted Christ as a young adult at Raynor Town Progressive Church under the

leadership of Pastor Bertha Cox. Once he relocated to Washington, DC; he joined Little Rock

Church of Deliverance in the late 1990’s under the leadership of Apostle Dr. C. B. Richardson. He

was ordained as Deacon and was known to get his shout on when led by the spirit. He was very

dedicated to God and his church. In July 2021, he moved back to NC and joined MT Zion Bible

Church of God under the leadership of Bishop Brian K. Miller, where he was also ordained as

Deacon 2024. He was so proud of what he had accomplished and knew that God was pleased.

He loved the Lord and didn’t mind praising God at anytime, anywhere.

He loved his family and always wanted to have cookouts or fish fry’s just to get family and friends

together. He also was a die-hard Dallas Cowboy fan and didn’t mind telling you he was a fan. He

has now joined his parents Ralph and Eva Darden; sons Lamont, Pierre and Ralph Jr.; brothers

Henry, James, Clarence, and Edward; sisters Lucille, Mattie, and Beulah in eternal rest.

He leaves to cherish his memories, a loving and devoted wife of over 30 years, Mary Darden of

the home; two daughters, Michelle Wilson and Kecia Darden of NC, bonus daughters, Sheleada

Rawlings of MD and Lakisha Browne of Fla, a son, Larry Raynor of NC, bonus sons, Raymond

Blount and Larry Rawlings of MD. Godchildren, Carlton Richardson Jr, Ebony Brooks, Arthur Paul,

and Kimberly Shufford all of MD. 21 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Sisters Elizabeth

Jones of GA, and Margaret Elliott of Jacksonville NC; a brother Randolph Darden of Goldsboro

NC., Aunts, Elnora Hodges and Mary Best of VA, and Gladys Best of NC; Sister-in-laws: Nancy

Fennell, Pauline Rawlings, Sue Darden, Dean Thompson, Frances Darden, Rosa Crider, Diane

Saddler, Yvonne Jones, Margaret Rawlings and Shirley Greene. Brother-in-laws: Arthur Rawlings,

Daniel Rawlings and Arthur O'Berry