Obituary

William "Lefty" H. Darden, Sr.

July 03, 1933 - August 12, 2020

William Howard Darden, Sr., “Lefty”, 87, husband of Hazel Crockett Darden, of Poplarville, MS passed away from Covid-19 on August 12, 2020 at Our Lady of the Angels in Bogalusa, LA.

Born July 3, 1933 in Marvel, Alabama, he was the son of the late Milstead and Lela Darden.

Lefty was a Sergeant in Louisiana National Guard for over 15 years and served in the army during the Korean War.  He was an active sportsman and loved all activities outdoors.  He was a great left-handed pitcher which landed him the nickname “Lefty”.  He played for Gaylord in Bogalusa and even played on a team in Japan while overseas.  He would send photos and write back to his sister, Louise, often saying, “Lou, they aren’t any good.  I have a 4 and 1 record and an average of 375.”  He coached and umpired little league baseball for over 30 years in Bogalusa and played softball until he was in his late 50’s.

He was an avid fisherman and loved to go fishing in Lafitte, Louisiana with his late sister, Louise, son, grandsons and great-grandsons.  He loved to boast about his big catch and even caught the attention of the local newspaper, The Bogalusa Daily News to feature him and a big catch with the caption, “Frank Davis ain’t got nothing on me.”

He also loved to work in his garden and enjoyed sharing his “special secrets” with his grandkids on their gardens.  He grew the best turnip greens and red tomatoes and loved to share them with his family and friends.

He was the biggest jokester who was always down to have a good time!  He loved to be the center of attention and could always be found dancing and singing on the dance floor of weddings!  He loved his Alabama football and Atlanta Braves.  You can bet, if he wasn’t at the game cheering on his team, he was watching it on tv.

He and his wife, Hazel, shared their love for the Lord by attending Oak Hill and Crossroads Pentecostal Churches.

He is survived by the love of his life, Hazel Crockett Darden and their pup Breezy of Poplarville, MS.; his sons William H. Darden, Jr. “Billy” and his wife Delia of Calera, AL, Darrell W. Darden and his wife Melissa of Poplarville, MS and his daughter Sharon D. Tobara of Denham Springs, LA. ; his grandchildren Michelle Overton and husband Shane, Jorge Cordova and fiancé Michelle Fuller, Angela Darden, William H. Darden, III “Little Billy” and wife Cristina, Chris Darden & fiancé Maegan Paige, Austin Darden and wife Rachel, Erika Smith, Kristina Fresina and husband Chris, Amanda Richard and husband Chase; his great grandchildren Jarrod Cordova and fiancé Tyler Emerson, Taylor Cordova, Megan Overton, Isabella Overton, Reed Richard, Audree Richard, Ryan Fresina, Ella Fresina and Abel Williams.

In addition to his late parents, Milstead and Lela Darden, he was predeceased by his brothers Gene Darden and wife Katherine, Harvey Darden and wife Bobbie, J.D. Darden and wife Dean, his sisters Exer Fullman and husband Will, Louise Busby and husband Tap, Lois Crockett and husband Clyde, his son-in-law Roger Tobara, sister-in-laws Christine Russell and husband Mike Russell, Ella Ruth Batten, brother-in-law Wilford Crockett, father and mother-in-law Wiley and Dora Crockett along with several special nieces and nephews.

Special Thanks to Margie Tynes, Kathy Wheat, Hilma Williams, niece Jodi Morris and the entire staff of Our Lady of the Angels in Bogalusa, LA.

While flowers are welcome, the family requests that any memorial donation be made to Oak Hill Pentecostal Church, 105 W Ida Ave, Poplarville, MS 39470.

The wake will be Friday, August 21st, 6-9 pm. The funeral service will be Saturday, August 22nd, 9-11 am. Both services will be held at Poole Ritchie (216 Alabama Ave, Bogalusa, LA 70427)

Burial will follow funeral service at Ponemah Cemetery (Louisiana Ave, Bogalusa, LA. 70427)