Jean Darden Obituary Jean Howell Darden April 12, 1928 － March 3, 2021 Franklin － Jean Howell Darden, 92, passed away in her home on March 3, 2021 surrounded by her family. Born in Franklin on April 12, 1928, she was a daughter of the late James Edward Howell, Sr. and Emily Vaughan Howell and was predeceased by a sister, Phyllis H. Mewborn, and a daughter-in-law, Kathy Darden. Jean was a graduate of Franklin High School and attended Longwood College. She was a lifelong member of Sycamore Baptist Church and was a children‚Äôs teacher and served on many committees. She was a former secretary at Franklin High School before she got married. She was a farmer‚Äôs wife delivering lunch and supper at harvest time and hauled a many a truck load of peanuts to Birdsong Peanuts. She even helped haul cows. Better known as the "Bread Lady", she is also famous for her delicious caramel cake and homemade bread. She enjoyed cutting her grass at least twice a week and loved being outdoors around her dogs and hummingbirds and being around people. Jean was a wonderful wife, mother, homemaker, farm helper, teacher at church, and an amazing cook. Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband of almost 74 years, Hunter Darden, Jr; a daughter, Sharon Darden Kasper; two sons, Hunter Darden, III and Richard E. "Ricky" Darden (Cindy); a brother J. Edward "Jimmy" Howell, Jr. (Marti); seven grandchildren, Daryl Edward Kasper, Kelle Jean Moore, Hunt Darden, IV (Christi), Jerimy and Casey Mulder, Missi Hatfield (Rickey), Kate Couch (Matt); and great grandchildren Ethan Dale Kasper, Riley Ann Kasper, Kara Tru Hatfield, Gage Hatfield, Evie Couch, James, Cody, Sidney, Makinleigh, and Christopher. The family would like to thank Mrs. Darden‚Äôs special caregiver, Elizabeth Del Vecchio, and the Sentara Hospice Team. A Funeral Service will be held at 2 PM Saturday, March 6, 2021 in Wright Funeral Home with Rev. Tracey Pugh and Dr. Reginald Warren officiating. There will be a private family burial. A viewing will be held from 12 to 2PM Saturday prior to the service in the funeral home. The family suggests that memorial donations be made to Sycamore Baptist Church, 31120 Sycamore Church Rd., Franklin, VA 23851 or a favorite charity. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See also: 1) https://www.wrightfuneralhome.org/obituary/jean-darden 2) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/pilotonline/name/w-darden-obituary?id=23032327 3) https://www.pilotonline.com/obituaries/Jean-H-Darden/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Narrative Summary of the Obituary Jean Howell Darden, 92, passed away on 3 March 2021. Born on 12 April 1928, she was a lifelong member of Sycamore Baptist Church and a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. She was known for her delicious caramel cake and homemade bread. ### Narrative Summary of Funeral Services A Funeral Service was held on 6 March 2021 at Wright Funeral Home. There was a private family burial. ### The Edited Obituary Jean Howell Darden 12 April 1928 - 3 March 2021 Franklin - Jean Howell Darden, 92, passed away in her home on 3 March 2021 surrounded by her family. Born in Franklin on 12 April 1928, she was a daughter of the late James Edward Howell, Sr. and Emily Vaughan Howell and was predeceased by a sister, Phyllis H. Mewborn, and a daughter-in-law, Kathy Darden. Jean was a graduate of Franklin High School and attended Longwood College. She was a lifelong member of Sycamore Baptist Church and was a children's teacher and served on many committees. She was a former secretary at Franklin High School before she got married. She was a farmer's wife delivering lunch and supper at harvest time and hauled many a truck load of peanuts to Birdsong Peanuts. She even helped haul cows. Better known as the "Bread Lady", she is also famous for her delicious caramel cake and homemade bread. She enjoyed cutting her grass at least twice a week and loved being outdoors around her dogs and hummingbirds and being around people. Jean was a wonderful wife, mother, homemaker, farm helper, teacher at church, and an amazing cook. Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband of almost 74 years, Hunter Darden, Jr; a daughter, Sharon Darden Kasper; two sons, Hunter Darden, III and Richard E. "Ricky" Darden (Cindy); a brother J. Edward "Jimmy" Howell, Jr. (Marti); seven grandchildren, Daryl Edward Kasper, Kelle Jean Moore, Hunt Darden, IV (Christi), Jerimy and Casey Mulder, Missi Hatfield (Rickey), Kate Couch (Matt); and great grandchildren Ethan Dale Kasper, Riley Ann Kasper, Kara Tru Hatfield, Gage Hatfield, Evie Couch, James, Cody, Sidney, Makinleigh, and Christopher. The family would like to thank Mrs. Darden's special caregiver, Elizabeth Del Vecchio, and the Sentara Hospice Team. ### Vital Statistics Summary | Name | |---------|-------------------------------------| | Age | 92 years | | Birth | 12 April 1928; Franklin, Virginia | | Death | 3 March 2021; Franklin, Virginia | ### Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |-----------------------------|-----------------------------|--------------------| | Jean Howell Darden | Decedent | Franklin, Virginia | | Hunter Darden, Jr. | Spouse | Franklin, Virginia | | James Edward Howell, Sr. | Parent | --- | | Emily Vaughan Howell | Parent | --- | | Sharon Darden Kasper | Child | --- | | Hunter Darden, III | Child | --- | | Richard E. Ricky Darden | Child | --- | | Daryl Edward Kasper | Grandchild | --- | | Kelle Jean Moore | Grandchild | --- | | Hunt Darden, IV | Grandchild | --- | | Jerimy Mulder | Grandchild | --- | | Casey Mulder | Grandchild | --- | | Missi Hatfield | Grandchild | --- | | Kate Couch | Grandchild | --- | | Ethan Dale Kasper | Great Grandchild | --- | | Riley Ann Kasper | Great Grandchild | --- | | Kara Tru Hatfield | Great Grandchild | --- | | Gage Hatfield | Great Grandchild | --- | | Evie Couch | Great Grandchild | --- | | James | Great Grandchild | --- | | Cody | Great Grandchild | --- | | Sidney | Great Grandchild | --- | | Makinleigh | Great Grandchild | --- | | Christopher | Great Grandchild | --- | | Phyllis H. Mewborn | Predeceased Sibling | --- | | Kathy Darden | Predeceased Daughter-in-law | --- | | J. Edward Jimmy Howell, Jr. | Brother | --- | | Elizabeth Del Vecchio | Caregiver | --- | | Rev. Tracey Pugh | Officiant | --- | | Dr. Reginald Warren | Officiant | --- | ### Other Relevant Information 1. Jean Howell Darden was a graduate of Franklin High School and attended Longwood College. 2. She was a lifelong member of Sycamore Baptist Church and served as a children's teacher and on many committees. 3. Jean was a former secretary at Franklin High School before she got married. 4. She was known as the "Bread Lady" for her delicious caramel cake and homemade bread. 5. Jean enjoyed cutting her grass at least twice a week and loved being outdoors around her dogs and hummingbirds. 6. She was a wonderful wife, mother, homemaker, farm helper, teacher at church, and an amazing cook.