Obituary

Katherine Bobby Joe Evans Darden

August 29, 1931 - February 17, 2021

Katherine Bobby Joe Evans Darden, born August 29, 1931 in Bogalusa, Louisiana to the late Solomon Edwin and Lela Samela Thomas Evans, departed this life on February 17, 2021 at the age of 89. She was the fifth of eight children.

At a young age, Ms. Katherine joined Salter’s Chapel A.M.E. Church. In the early 1980’s, she joined Bethlehem Baptist Church under the late Rev. Dr. Aaron J. Thompson, Sr. until his death. Afterwards, the Rev. Christopher D. Matthews became her pastor and she remained a faithful member and a Child of God until her death.

Ms. Katherine attended Central Memorial High School. Upon graduating, Katherine moved to Jackson, Tennessee where she attended Lane College. In 1956, she untied in holy matrimony to the late Charles E. Darden, Sr. and to this union five children were born. They relocated to Springfield, Tennessee. In 1961m the family decided to return to Bogalusa, Louisiana making it their hometown. Ms. Katherine worked as a seamstress for the Pioneer Parachute Plant in Columbia, Mississippi for ten (10) years. She later relocated to Gulfport, Mississippi, where she became an employee for the Pass Christian Garment Factory in Pass Christian, Mississippi until she retired in 1995. Later, she became a counselor for the YMCA and a counselor for Community in Action at Ladner Homes Community Center in Gulfport, Mississippi. She also was the co-founder of Snowballs and More in Gulfport, Mississippi.

Her memories will forever be treasured by her children; Raven C. Evans, Joseph Magee, Jr., Carol D. Smith, Tonia D. (Phillip) Collins, Charles E. Darden, Jr., Etta M. (Sammie) Smith, all of Bogalusa, Louisiana and Ralph E. Darden of Gulfport, Mississippi; sisters, Natalie (Henry) Killings of Carson, California, and Sylvia D. (Richard) Powell of Albion, Michigan; grandchildren, Renard Tanner of Greensburg, Louisiana, Katherine Shabazz of Detroit, Michigan, Fredrick Evans of Knoxville, Tennessee, Toyanica Burris, Ramah Smith, Kolya Collins, Tyler Collins, Skylar Collins, Sharrod Darden, and Nicholas Darden all of Bogalusa, Louisiana, Marcus Magee, Nadia Gonzales, and Aubrey Gonzales of Albion, Michigan, Marcus Darden, Yolanda Darden, Marshel Smith, Alice Croft, Ralph “ Lil Ralph” Darden, Jr. all of Gulf Port, Mississippi, Camry Wickware of DeSoto, Texas, and Jameen McClain of Denham Springs, Louisiana; God- child, Lazette Watterson of Bogalusa, Louisiana; sister-in-law, Willean Evans of Bogalusa, Louisiana; and a host of great grand and great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Preceding her in death are her parent, Solomon and Lela Thomas Evans; husband, Charles E. Darden, Sr.; grandson, LaTodrain Dillon; siblings, Thelma Wiley, Helen Lucas, Etta Thompson, Milton Evans, and Willie Thomas Evans; Son-in-law, Alton Smith; Sister-in-law, Ruby H. Evans; Brothers-in-law, F.W. Wiley, Raleigh O. Lucas, Sr. and Aaron J. Thompson, Sr.

A drive thru visitation will be held Saturday, February 27, 2021 from 3:00PM -6:00PM

Funeral Services will be held Sunday, February 28, 2021 at 1:00PM at Crain & Sons Funeral Home-Chapel. 

Crain and Sons Funeral Home – Bogalusa in charge of arrangements.