Herbert Darden, 87 of Lisbon, passed away Friday, April 11, 2025 at the South Arkansas Regional Hospital. He was born in El Dorado, Arkansas May 14,1937 to Aylmer Darden and Minnie (Pate) Darden.
Herbert was a member of Lisbon Church. He was a very athletic young man in High School and played football and baseball. Herbert was recruited by the St. Louis Cardinals and the Detroit Tigers Baseball Team and chose to go with the Detroit Tigers. Retired Professional Baseball Player, Schoolboy Rowe who became a Recruiter for the Detroit Tigers convinced Herbert to play for the Detroit Tigers. Herbert was unable to finish his Professional Baseball Career due to a shoulder injury. Herbert spent the rest of his years with his wife, Judy Darden as a Self-employed Cattle and Chicken Farmer and one of the last Cotton Farmer’s in Union County. Herbert put the first Kentucky Fried Chicken in Warren and Monticello, Arkansas and Pizza-Q in El Dorado and Monticello, Arkansas. Herbert was named Union County, “Farm Family of the Year” in 1986.
Herbert is preceded in death by his parents, Alymer Darden and Minnie (Pate) Darden; brothers George A. Darden Sr., Grover Darden, Rubin Darden, and Herman Darden; and sisters, Lois Stanfill and Etoil (Toy) Herring.
Laura Wright was Herbert’s precious Caregiver for the past 3 years who took such great care of him and our family is very grateful.
Survivors are his wife Julia A. (Judy) Wreyford Darden of El Dorado, Arkansas; two children, Lisa Darden Morgan, Bruce (Tatjana) Darden. Grandchildren, Andrea Sanders, Koby Rutland, Devan (Traci) Darden and Denver Darden. Great Grandchildren are as follows:
Zoe Claire George, RaeLyn Darden, Kensley Darden, Maci Belle Rutland, and Harper Darden. Herbert is also survived by his Sisters, Betty Janway, EvaNell Swilley, Ginger Wilkins, Kathryn Beavers and many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Devan Darden, Koby Rutland, Denver Darden, Dennis Darden, Russell Darden, and Mark Devault. Honorary Pallbearers are as follows: Don Newsom, Dwayne Long, Bruce Arnold, Dorman Huffstedler, Donnie Jacob’s, and Ronnie Jacob’s.
Visitation will be Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at Young’s Funeral Directors at 5:00pm - 7:00pm. Funeral Services will be 1:00pm at Lisbon Church, Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Burial will follow at Lisbon Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors. Donations in memory of Herbert Darden may be directed to Lisbon Cemetery.
Condolences can be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com
