Richard Darden, Sr

WILSON - Richard Arlen Darden Sr., 83, died Saturday November 5, 2016.

The funeral service will be Tuesday, 1:00 PM, at First United Methodist Church, Wilson, immediately followed by visitation at the church. Burial will take place in the Eureka Cemetery, Eureka at 3:30 PM.

Born in Wayne County in 1933, Richard was the son of Nathan Julius and Ruby Woodle Darden.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Barbara Pittman Darden; daughter, Dee Darden Warrick and husband, Tommy, of Emerald Isle; son, Richard A. Darden, Jr. and wife, Angela, of Goldsboro; brother, William L. Darden of Faro; grandchildren, Garret Darden Warrick, Mallory Pittman Warrick, Hannah Marie Darden and Kaylin Rebekah Darden; sisters-in-law, Peggy Pittman Gore of Wilmington and Mary Pittman McMillan and husband, Gary, of Clinton, six nieces and one nephew.

Richard was an honor graduate in the 1951 class of Eureka High School. He grew up on the family farm in Faro, continued farming after graduation; operated Darden-Scott General Merchandise during which time he began his affiliation with Royster Fertilizer Company in the late 1960's; retiring with the company in 1994 as a Senior Vice-President. He served as President and was a lifetime member of the North Carolina Plant Food Association. He was appointed to the Board of Directors of BB&T in Fremont, retiring as Chairman.

Richard was a person of service to his church, community and his country. He devoted many hours to both Yelverton and First United Methodist Churches, Eureka Ruritan Club, C.B. Aycock Booster Club, Eureka Town Board, and served in the US Army Infantry from 1956-1958.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to First United Methodist Church, PO Box 1423, Wilson, NC 27894 or to AseraCare Hospice, 112 W. Firetower Road, Winterville, NC 28590.