Virginia Singleton Darnell

1925 - 2025

Virginia Singleton Darnell

December 22, 1925 - November 10, 2025

Virginia Singleton Darnell, 99, of Mechanicsville, widow of Raymond Winston Darnell, passed away November 10, 2025. Born in Halifax County, Va., she was the daughter of Robert Edward and Josie East Singleton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Nadine Singleton Tucker; brother, Robert Samuel Singleton; and nephew by marriage, Joe Arrington.

She is survived by three nieces, Deborah Reichard (David), Diane Arrington and Rhonda Oberle (Jeff); three nephews, Jerald Tucker (Cathy), Mike Tucker and Ed Singleton (Jamie); and a number of great-nieces and nephews. A special thanks to Chris Brackett and Sara Sweeny for their love and care over the years.

Virginia worked for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad known as the "Chessie" System. She was the executive secretary to the local CEO.

Virginia was a member of the Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs, the Pamunkey Woman's Club where she was a past President, and the American Cancer Society.

An active member of Richmond's First Baptist Church, Virginia taught a class of young single adults for many years. She was elected a deacon in 1979, becoming one of the earliest women to serve in that capacity. In 1996 she was elected the church's first female deacon chairperson. In 1984 Virginia was the first woman to be elected to the FBC Endowment Fund, Inc. board of managers, where she served for 37 years, including many of those years as secretary. Her extensive church interests included leadership, historic preservation, and church expansions.

A funeral will be held 11:30 a.m. Monday, November 24, at Richmond's First Baptist Church, 2709 Monument Avenue, with the family receiving friends prior to the service from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. A reception will follow the service at the church. Interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Hillsdale College, 33 E. College Street, Hillsdale, MI 49242 or online at donorservices@hillsdale.edu.