Katie B. Darden

Mrs. Katie Mae Billingslea Darden was born in Troup County, Georgia, the oldest of eleven children born to the late Willie Lee Baker Billingslea and John Lee Billingslea on December 27, 1929. She entered into eternal rest on Thursday, September 2, 2010 at Lanier Health Services in Valley, Alabama. She was proceeded in death by five sisters and brothers: Jesse, Essex, Alice, Joann and Walter. Katie was a kind hearted and generous lady. She loved the Lord, her church and her family. She was a loving person and shared her love with all. She accepted Christ as her personal savior at an early age and joined the St. John Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Clanton Williams. She worked faithfully in her church. She has served and was still serving in many capacities up until the end. She was a member of the Senior Choir, Matrons, and Church's Financial Secretary. She was currently a member of the General Missionary Society, Nurses Guild, Gerogia Circle, and Steering Committee. She served many times as the Director of Vacation Bible School and as a Bible School Instructor. Katie attended and worked with the Ministers Wives and on other committees with the Bow...[more]

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East District and Alabama Baptist State Women's Conventions. Katie graduated from Tenth Street High School in West Point, Georgia and received her Bachelors Degree in Home Economics and Food Sciences from Albany State College. She did further studies at Auburn University and earned her Masters Degree from Tuskegee University. She attended North Western University in Evanston, Illinois for summer workshops. Katie retired from being a public school educator after working for over 30 years. She touched the lives of many children having taught at Johnson Elementary School in Whitesville, Georgia and Mountain Hill School in Harris County, Georgia. She was a "Golden Soror" of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. by serving over fifty years in the organization. She was a charter member of the local chapter, Lambda Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She served for many years as the Financial Secretary/Treasurer. She attended many, many clusters, regional meetings and boules. She was a faithful member. She was also a dedicated member of the West Point Womens Civic Club. She held several offices with the club on a local level and also on the state level. She has served on the Valley Goodwill Advisory Board. Katie was united in holy matrimony to Walter L. Darden, Sr. on January 10, 1959. To this union, two sons were born, Walter Jr. and Willard. Katie was a very faithful and supportive wife. She supported her husband diligently with his ministerial/pastoral duties at Greater Beulah Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia for over fourteen years and currently at St. John for over twenty years. She was a Christian woman and was very patient, friendly, caring, thoughtful, and encouraging as a Pastor's Wife. Her memories will forever linger in the hearts of her loved ones: a devoted husband, Rev. Walter L. Darden; two loving sons, Walter (Linda) Darden, Jr., Willard Darden, Austell, GA; ten grandchildren, David, Damien, Walter III, Monique, Cameo, Shana (Victor), Shawn, Terrance, Isaiah, Sydney; ten great grandchildren, three sisters, Beulah Bonner and Christine Pollard, Columbus, OH, Barbara Roberts, Detroit, MI; two brothers, Johnny Frank Billingslea, Webster, NY, Charles Billingslea, West Point, GA; three sisters-in-law, Mildred (Aubrey) Cumberlander, Marietta, GA, Hattie (James) Graves, Lanett, AL, Emma (Donald) Hutson, Atlanta, GA; two brothers-in-law, James Darden, New York, William (Marva) Darden, Atlanta, GA and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Saint John Baptist Church at 820 North Cherry Drive Lanett AL 36863 Interment St. John Baptist Church Cemetery State Line Road Lanett, Alabama