Leon A. Darden Sr.

Leon A. Darden Sr. GOLDSBORO - Leon Alvis Darden Sr., 74, of 4680 Wayne Memorial Drive went to be with the Lord Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, following a courageous battle with leukemia and a short stay at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. Funeral service will be held today at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Seymour Funeral Home with the Rev. Carolyn Simms, the Rev. Charles Moseley and the Rev. Rick Ward officiating. Burial will follow in the Darden Family Cemetery near the home. Leon was the son of the late Zeb and Ophelia Darden and was born in Wayne County on March 21, 1935. He was retired from the Greenville Police Department where he served as a sergeant for 20 years. He also served the Goldsboro Police Department and Farmville Police Department for a total of 30 years in law enforcement. After retirement from law enforcement he and his wife ran the Saulston Community Store. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Mary Elizabeth Strickland Darden; four daughters and a son, Mary Scott Manning and husband, Keith, of Winterville, Lillie Ann Flowers and husband, Chris of Greenville; Leon Alvis "Al" Darden Jr. and wife, Cindy, of Goldsboro, Michelle Grice and husband, Larry, of Goldsboro and Beth Vinson and husband, Roger, of Winterville; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two step-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Thomas G. Darden; and a sister, Joanne Darden Lucas. The family received friends Tuesday from 7 – 9 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home and other times at his home. With loving gratitude, we thank Dr. J. Thomas Lee and the staff of Physician's East and Pitt Memorial Hospital for their guidance, wisdom and support during Leon's declining health. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.