SUFFOLK – Mabel Skeeter Weaver Darden took a walk with Jesus on July 20, 2009. Born on Aug. 15, 1905, in Baltimore, Md., she was the second child of 11 siblings born to Ferdinand and Daisy Skeeter. She was preceded in death by both parents, six sisters, three brothers, her two husbands, Lee P. Weaver and Jay T. Darden, and her children, Charles T. Weaver and Lee P. Weaver Jr.
Mabel attended Mt. Ararat Church in Skeetertown (community of Suffolk), where she received her spiritual guidance. She met and married Lee P. Weaver in New York. There, they established the Weaver Funeral home in Manhattan, N.Y., the official funeral home for Convent Ave Baptist Church. At one time, this business was the busiest in Harlem, N.Y. They were married for 50 years. After being a widow, she met and married Jay T. Darden, also of Suffolk. They moved back to Suffolk, where he passed in 1977. Mabel continued to live on her own until the age of 97 years, after which she took up residence at the Nansemond Pointe Rehabilitation Community. She was the oldest resident and the oldest living Skeeter in Suffolk.
She leaves to celebrate her life grandchildren, Jacqueline A. Bryan (David), of New York; Robin S. Weaver, of New York; Peter C. Weaver, of New York; Deidriann T. Sands (David), of New York; Tia L. Morings (Frederick), of Suffolk; six great-grandchildren; two great-great-granddaughters; one brother, Fred Skeeter Jr. (Elsie), of Suffolk; two devoted daughters-in-law, Doreth Weaver (Charles), of New York and Joan Weaver (Lee), of New York; one sister-in-law, Margaret Skeeter (Dan), of Suffolk; and a host of nieces, nephews and family.
The family would also like to thank the staff at Nansemond Pointe Rehabilitation Community for the care and love showed to their loved one.
A service will be held on Friday, July 24, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Ararat Christian UCC Church in Suffolk, Va.