Helen Lee Swilley Darden, age 89, of El Dorado, passed from this life into the presence of her Lord and Savior, surrounded by her family in her home, on Sunday, December 1, 2024. Helen was born in Kilgore, Texas on March 23, 1935 to Frank Ernest Swilley, Sr. and Nellie Lee Flournoy Swilley.
Helen graduated from Smackover High School in 1953 and, shortly after, she married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Roy Herman Darden. Helen was a life-long member of the Lisbon Church, where she served as church organist, taught a children's Sunday school class, and helped with the Wednesday night children activities for over 50 years. She was also a member of the Lisbon Extension Homemakers Club.
In addition to her parents and husband, Helen was predeceased by a sister, Carol Lambert, and a brother, William T. (Bill) Swilley, as well as a granddaughter, Leslie Darden, wife of Dillon Darden.
Helen is survived by two sons: Dennis, and his wife, Robin, and Russell, and his wife, Karla, both of El Dorado. She has four grandchildren: Jayme Stegall and husband, Jerry; Ashley McDaniel and husband, Aaron; Justin Darden and wife, Crystal; and Dillon Darden. Great-grandchildren are Cole Hagler, David Martin (Kaylin Waller), Rylee Darden (Ashton Yarbrough), Mason McDaniel, Ethan Darden, Collin Stegall, Gracyn Darden, Hensley Beaux Darden, and Blanton Darden. There is one great-great-grandchild, Beau Russell Martin. She is also survived by two sisters: Mary Nell Benton of Camden and Dianne Haynie (George) of El Dorado, as well as two brothers, Frank (Buck) Ernest Swilley, Jr. (Eva Nell) of El Dorado and Calvin Swilley of Smackover. She has numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends that will fondly remember her.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday evening, December 4 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Young’s Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Lisbon Church with Jimmy Lambert officiating. Burial will follow at the Lisbon Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Justin Darden, Dillon Darden, Aaron McDaniel, Jerry Stegall, Cole Hagler, David Martin, Mason McDaniel, Ethan Darden, Collin Stegall, and Ashton Yarbrough. Honorary pallbearers are Blanton Darden and Beau Russell Martin.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Lisbon Cemetery, c/o Robin Darden, 6922 Mt. Holly Rd., El Dorado, AR 71730.
Condolences can be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com for the Darden family.
