John E Darby

View Funeral WebcastJohn E. Darby, 95 years young, went to be with his Lord, Jesus Christ, on August 12, 2009 after a long and fruitful life on this earth. John was the epitome of a true Southern gentleman. His clear blue eyes and warm smile reflected his gentle spirit and pleasant outlook on life. John was a man who always saw the good in people and life, never judging or complaining but simply enjoying the blessings that God gave him. He often wondered why the Lord gave him so much time on earth, but those who knew him understood. John moved to "The Beach" to be with his son, Bill and his family in 2001. Although he physically moved to Ormond Beach, Florida, his heart was still in Tennessee. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, August 17th at 12:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols with Rev. Rick Elsey officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Monday from 10:00 a.m. to service time at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials in John's memory be made to the First Baptist Church "To Prepare the Way" Fund, 118 North Palmetto Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32114. Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com. John was born in Gaffney, South Carolina on May 3, 1914 to the late William Alexander "Will" Darby and Emma Mae Browning Darby. There were ten children in this loving family and all took their share of providing for each other. Raised during the Depression, John was a hard worker and this followed him through his life. John was offered a position in Columbia, Tennessee with a natural gas company, and his direction in life was set forever. It was there that John met the former Selma Holley at Mrs. Stone's Boarding House, and they became inseparable. John and Selma married on September 5, 1938. To his last days, John declared these times as some of the best in his life. John and Selma were married for 60 years and only upon the death of Selma on August 13, 1998 were they apart. John later worked at Southland Novelty Company until he moved into the retail clothing business at W.W. Evans & Company. John was a member of the Columbia Lions Club and was a 50-Year member of the Grand Masonic Lodge #31 in Columbia. John also enjoyed serving as a volunteer for the Maury County Hospital Auxiliary. He was a member of West End Baptist Church in Columbia and later First Baptist Church of Daytona Beach, Florida. John is survived by his son, Bill Darby and his wife, Becky, Ormond Beach, Florida; granddaughters Whitney Kalna (Terry, Jr.), Ormond Beach, Florida and Lauren Feldeisen (David), Smithville, New Jersey. John's great-granddaughter is Caitlyn Avery Kalna, also of Ormond Beach, Florida. Survivors also include a sister, Nettie Darby Davis and brother, Howard Darby, both of Gaffney, South Carolina.