Fred Hubert Darden, Jr., 89, of 14901 River St., Blakely, GA passed away Thursday night, Oct. 3, 2019 at Life Brite Community Hospital of Early. His funeral will be held Monday, Oct. 7, 2019 at 2 PM at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Tucker Lewis officiating.The family will receive friends for visitation starting at 1 PM until funeral time. Burial will follow later that afternoon at 4 PM in the Sharon United Methodist Church Cemetery in Randolph County. Active pallbearers will be Wally Robertson, Johnny Fariss, Lane Davis, Sonny Hall, Dr. Alex Howell and Dr. Lowell Justice.
Fred was born on November 16, 1929 in Pensacola, FL to the late Fred Hubert Darden, Sr. and Mertie Darden. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Blakely, GA where he served as Custodian for several years. He had received his Master's Degree from Auburn University in Education, following attending Columbus College, the Military College of Georgia and the University of Virginia. He was the Principal at Randolph County High School, Superintendent of the Randolph County School System and retired after serving several years as the Principal of the Early County High School. He served in the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict.Other than his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth "Liz" Pearce Darden, a sister, Mary Lee Strong and by an Aunt, Ada Hodges.
His survivors include a daughter: Nancy D. Yelverton and Danny Coody of Cuthbert, GA; two sons: Fred H. (Freddy) Darden, III, of Columbus, GA and David Darden and Laura of Montgomery, AL. He has a brother, Earl Darden and two sisters, Yvonne Kuchenell and Darlene Carter and Roderick of Edison, GA. There are seven grandchildren: Dr. Joshua Yelverton and Fielding of Gastonia, NC, Eric Darden and Phyllis of Golden, CO, Jennifer Bell and Cody of Abilene, TX, Daniel Dardenof Austin, TX, Ashley Ricks and Rod of Blakely, GA, Ashley Daly and Chase of Troy, Al and Cody Turberville of Denver, CO. Mr. Fred also has nine great grandchildren: Riley Grace Roland, McKinley Ricks, Adley Ricks, Elijah Darden, Benjamin Yelverton, Pearce Yelverton, Lily Bell, Harper Daly and Anna Grace Daly.