Darden, Joseph Ricaud

Joseph Ricaud Darden, age 98, formerly of Portsmouth, VA, died Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the Centra Lynchburg General Hospital in Lynchburg, VA.

Born in Portsmouth, VA, on January 14, 1925, he was a son of the late James G. Darden, Sr. and Josephine Ellen Ewers Darden.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Clara Pauline Lafon Darden, four brothers, James G. Darden, Jr., Charles Marion Darden, William Thomas Darden, John Francis Darden, and sister, Madeline Ellen Darden Davis Meixel.

He is survived by a daughter, Rebecca Sue Darden of Appomattox, VA, and a son, Timothy Alan Darden, daughter-in-law, Karen Sherwood Darden, and granddaughter, Rachel Ann Darden, all of Melfa, VA.

He served in the U.S. Navy for 3 years during World War II from 1943-1946.

He attended Bluefield College in Bluefield, VA, and graduated from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.

He was ordained as a Southern Baptist Minister in June of 1956.  He served several churches in Virginia and one in Baltimore, MD for 35 ½ years. He retired to Appomattox, VA in November of 1991.

He was a member of Grace Hills Baptist Church in Appomattox, VA.

Interment will take place at Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg, VA.

Memorials may be made to the Grace Hills Baptist Church Building Fund (4320 Pumping Station Road, Appomattox, VA 24522).

Online guestbook can be signed or condolences may be sent to the family at www.broyles-shrewsbury.com. Arrangements by Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, Peterstown, WV.