Mr. Ronnie Darden

Obituary For Mr. Ronnie Darden

Mr. Ronnie Darden passed on Sunday, March 26, 2023. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 31, 2023 from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Trice Funeral Home. Second visitation will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023 from 11:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery at 2275 Joseph E. Boone Blvd. N.W. Atlanta, GA 30314 Funeral Service will follow at 2:00 P.M. at Lincoln Memorial Park Chapel Cemetery. Trice Funeral Home of Thomaston is in charge of all arrangements. Please keep the Darden family in prayer.

Mr. Ronnie Darden was born to the late Frank and Sally Alford Darden on a cold February 1, 1948, in Pike County, Georgia. Ronnie was the seventh born of eight children to this blessed union. Ronnie was well known for his dance moves, his high kicking karate leg moves, wearing hats and caps. His “drunk chicken” recipe, always carrying a white handkerchief, and being an avid fisherman. At an early age, Ronnie, along with his siblings joined Springfield Missionary Baptist Church. Ronnie maintained his membership and supported the church as best he could as a remote member.

Ronnie attended Collins School in Molena, Georgia. Although Ronnie was considered a bright young man, after the eight-grade year of school he decided that enough was enough for school and ended his matriculation at Collins School. He attempted to find his way in the world by working several jobs.

It wasn’t until he was 18 that Ronnie was inspired to enlist in the armed forces amidst the Vietnam conflict. Ronnie served in the United States Army from1966 until 1969. During his time of service, Ronnie proudly moved from his enlisting rank of Private E1 up to Sergeant E5 in telecommunications. After his honorable discharge from the military, Ronnie briefly returned home but soon joined his favorite aunt Bea in Atlanta, Georgia. Soon after, Ronnie decided that now was the time to return to finish what he had started, as it relates to his education. He enrolled at Booker T. Washington High School’s night. School program. While there, Ronnie met the future love of his life, a one Debra Allen Lawson. They started out as study buddies, however they eventually entered into a relationship which produced their daughter Tyikeyla. It was during this time that he began his career at The City of Atlanta Sewer works Department, where he remained for several decades. After a nearly three-year battle with a host of illnesses, on March 26, 2023 Ronnie finally departed his earthly home and crossed overt to join his lovely wife Debra; his parents Frank and Sally Darden; his siblings Elijah Darden, Jeremiah Darden, Joe T. Darden, Willie Frank Darden, Hazel Mae Darden and Carolyn Darden Hobbs.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving children: LaDetrice Lawson, Lawanda Lawson, Aneka Lawson, Tyikeyla Dardenm Chantrice (Tony) Meriweather, Le ‘Ronta (Lori) Meriweather, Shamika Meriweather, Bryon (Valika) Meriweather; grandchildren Darice Echols, Derrick Lawson, Patrick Green, Jr., Rodrea Arnold, Shykeria Meriweather, Jamar Meriweather Olivis Wright, Farrington Merwether, and Akimah Meriweather; great-granddaughter Ry’Lee Billingsley; one sister Sarah Holt; sisters-inlove Shirley Ann Allen , Laverne Guinn, Katherin Guinn and April Marie Guinn; brothers-in-love Emery (Sheila) Guinn St., and Anthony (Jill) guinn; best friend Gary Daniels; dauthers-in-love demelia Rashad, ReShanda (Aaron) Harris, Santresia Maynard and Dianne Walker; care givers Katherine Guinn and Elijah Darden, Jr,; special friends Carolyn, Betty, Deloris, Kovac Johnson, Anthony Kupoe, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.