Yvonnett Darden

Yvonnett “Evon” Darden entered into eternal rest on July 23, 2022 peacefully at home. She was born August 10, 1949 in Portsmouth, VA to the late Arthur and Annie Lee Darden. She was educated in the Portsmouth, VA school system and graduated from I.C. Norcum High School. In summer of 1967, she met the love of her life, Nathaniel Smith and migrated north to Newark, New Jersey in 1969. Their union produced 3 children, one son and two daughters. While balancing work and parenting, Evon pursued academic studies, first taking courses at Essex County College and then obtaining her associates degree from Upsala College. Evon studied various subjects while at times working two jobs to support her family. Her love for numbers led to a long-standing career in accounting. While she had numerous jobs crunching numbers, she retired as Supervisor of Accounts with Essex County Sherriff’s Department in 2015. She was the go-to person for filing taxes for family, friends, and co-workers. Evon could get better refunds than any known software and many trusted her with the task each year. In her spare time, she enjoyed crossword puzzles, entering contests to win prizes and watching her favorite soap operas.

Evon leaves to continue her legacy, her son, Nathaniel Darden of Manhattan, NY, daughters Natalie Darden of Indian Land, SC and Natasha Darden of Durham, NC. Two grandchildren Tasia Anderson and Aquira Thomas, and great grandson Amir Romero along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear best friend Janett Lester.

Evon is survived by her siblings: Michael F. Darden (Tonya) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Jacqueline E. Fillmore (David) of Dover, Delaware, Ernestine V. Mabry (John) of Laurel, Maryland, Linda W. Darden-Mateen (James) of Portsmouth, Virginia, Anthony D. Darden (Karen) of Hampton Roads, Virginia, David E. Darden of Portsmouth, Virginia, and Carlton Darden (Alyce) of Norfolk, Virginia. Evon was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Annie Darden, her sister, Patricia, and her brothers, James, Arthur Lee, and William.