Mildred R. Hunt-Darden was born in Elkhart, Indiana on January 8, 1925 to the union of Reverend William L. and Lucille Hunt.  She was one of nine children.  Mildred accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at a young age and loved to sing in the church choir.  She was an active member of Union Missionary Baptist Church in Lansing, Michigan for over 60 years.  Mrs. Darden was also a member in good standing of the Eleanor Roosevelt Chapter 16, International F & AM – O.E.S.

She was a very eloquent speaker and for years used that voice to read the church announcements and scripture for the sick and shut-in; Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.  Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.  The effectual prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:13-15).

She was a voracious reader and enjoyed going hat and shoe shopping; she loved to dress up and remained a fashion icon for many years.  Once you met her, there was no forgetting her; she always made a statement!

Mrs. Darden, at the age of 92, went home to be with the Lord on April 4, 2017, she was preceded in death by: the love of her life her husband, Reverend Clyde A. Darden, Sr. a son, William E. Darden, Sr., grandson, Dana F. Proctor, several sisters and two brothers.

Happy memories will be cherished by: sons, Joe (Chylene) Barkley, Jr., Clyde Allen (Cindy) Darden, Jr., daughters Esther McClain, Marlene E. Darden; 15 adoring grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren who lovingly call her Lil' Grandma, a sister, Joyce (Terry) Diltz, a brother, Henry A. Hunt, a host of nieces and nephews; church family and friends.