Graveside services for Margaret Jordan Darden, 91, of Stoneville will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2024. She died on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at Cleveland Nursing and Rehab.
She was born on June 19, 1933, at the King’s Daughters Hospital in Greenville, MS. She was the daughter of Cleber Eastin Jordan and Margaret Weilenman Jordan of Greenville.
Margaret attended Leland High School and graduated in 1951. She continued her education at the University of Mississippi where she was a member of Phi Mu Fraternity and served as pledge president and later secretary of the Fraternity. She was a member of the Ole Miss Band and served as secretary of the Women’s Athletic Association.
She was a longtime employee of the Delta Democrat Times, where she was Director of Promotions and Public Relations and worked in Radio Sales Management before retiring.
Margaret married George Milton Darden, Jr. on May 28, 1955, after his return from the service. They made their home in Starkville, MS where George graduated from Mississippi State College. They moved to Greenville and later moved to Stoneville to make it their home. George died in 1991. He and Margaret had been married for 38 years. Margaret remained in Stoneville until 2002 when she moved to Greenville to make it home.
She and her husband were avid do fanciers and spent many years breeding and showing pug dogs. The pugs from the Darden Kennels were recognized for their quality in the United States and other countries. Many were featured in books and publications. Raising and showing Tennessee Walking Horses was another hobby they enjoyed.
She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, serving on the board. She was a longtime member of The Pug Dog of Club of America. The Pug Dog Club of England, The Bluebonnet Pug Club, and The Greater Atlanta Pug Club, and was a charter member of the Greenville, MS Kennel Club. Her Pugs received special recognition from many of the above. She was a member of the Humane Society of America where she was inducted into their leadership council in recognition of her dedication to help end animal abuse. Margaret also served in the United Way, Salvation Army, and other civic projects.
She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.