Obituary of Archie Darden

Riser Funeral Home Columbia, LA Obituary: Archie Lamar Darden Services for Archie Lamar Darden, age 85 of Columbia, will be Tuesday, September 30, 2008 at 2 PM from the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Columbia with Rev. Sherman Jones and Rev. Stuart Sherman officiating. Interment will follow at Welcome Home Cemetery in Grayson. Visitation will be Monday evening at Riser Funeral Home in Columbia from 5 PM to 9 PM and Tuesday morning at First Baptist Church of Columbia from 9 AM to 12 PM. Archie Darden was born to Leslie Lamar and Linnie Stott Darden in Grayson on March 23, 1923 and passed from this life to be with his Lord on Sunday, September 28, 2008. He fought a battle with heart disease and was a valiant warrior. He fought to the end to regain strength and his health for his family who loved him so much. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother; Odis Darden, Sr., his half sister; Nina Darden Perot and his half brother; Corbet Peterson. Archie was a guiding hand for his family and is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years; Willie Dean Norman Darden, his sons and daughters-in-law; Ronnie and Patricia Darden of Columbia and Rex and Julie Darden of Grayson, six grandchildren; Heath Darden, Heather Darden Nadolski, Hunter Darden, Leslie Darden Graham, Larissa Darden Scott and Lauren Darden. He was blessed with five great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister; Bonnie Darden Tarver and his nieces and nephews. Archie graduated from Columbia High School in 1941 and joined the Navy at the onset of World War II. He served his country in the South and Central Pacific battlegrounds. After the war he graduated from the Monroe Business School and became a financial clerk. After tenure in accounting, he worked for Hugh Seal, then Clerk of Court of Caldwell Parish. Upon Mr. Seal's retirement he was elected Clerk of Court and served in that capacity for 32 years until he retired. He was a founding director of Homeland Bank in Columbia and served on the Board of Directors until his death. He also ran a cattle farm until his death on his family's original home place in Holum. He was a member of the Columbia Historic Board. One of his greatest joys was teaching and supervising youth while he served as Master of a local Boy Scout Troop for a number of years. He fondly told stories from that experience until his death. He was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church and 50 year member of the Columbia Masonic Lodge. He was involved in numerous other community activities through the years. He was a kind loving man who enjoyed life. He always had a sense of humor that made those around him feel happy. He carried this sense of humor with him until the end joking with the nurses and doctors even when they had to stick him more than once for his blood. He was devoted to serving the public and community in which he lived. He loved being with his friends and family and helping with any project or problem that came up. He enjoyed traveling and socializing with his camping club buddies. He was also an avid outdoorsman, sharing his interests with his wife and two sons. Archie was truly a family man, devoted to the love, care and future of his family. He was a brave warrior to the end and he will be deeply missed but long remembered. Serving as pallbearers are Heath Darden, Hunter Darden, Randall Graham, Josh Scott, Mike McDonald, John Rider, Jon McClanahan and Charlie Simons. Honorary pallbearers are Oliver Wilson, Leo May and Mayo Blackmon. Online condolences may be made at www.riserfuneralhomes.com.