Mrs. Eldora R. Darby

February 23, 1932 - February 14, 2020

Mrs. Eldora Robinson Darby, of Opelika, Alabama, died in Chicago, Illinois, on February 14, 2020 at the age of 87, just nine days away from her 88th birthday, due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. Eldora is survived by her four children, Napoleon Darby, Etta Juanita Darby-Reese (Shelton Reese), Sarah L. Darby-Scott (Dean Scott), and Jervis W. Darby; her sister, Mrs. Annie Kate Hawkins; her aunt, Mrs. Hattie Hall; her sister-in-law, Mrs. Mary C. Humphries, and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Eldora was born in Opelika on February 23, 1932 to Etta Mae Henderson Robinson and Rupert Robinson. On March 31, 1956, she married J. W. Darby (now deceased), and the union yielded four children. Eldora was a dedicated homemaker and devoted mother for most of her adult life. She also worked in various positions during her life, including factory work, and she later developed an interest in interior design. Eldora enjoyed watching her favorite television shows and using her creative skills in her hobby of arts and crafts projects. She enjoyed the outdoors, having grown up on her parents’ farm, and she loved gardening and working outside in the yard. She enjoyed singing and did so often and frequently joyfully spoke of her young days as a choir member at her church. Eldora was loved dearly by her children and family and was a positive ray of sunshine to everyone around her. She was a sweet lady and a blessing in the lives of those who knew and loved her, and she will be deeply missed by all of her relatives and friends. A funeral service is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2020, at the Union Grove Baptist Church in Marvyn, Alabama. Pastor Quency Dorsey will officiate. In lieu of flowers and contributions, donations are asked to be made to The Eldora Robinson Darby Memorial Health Education Scholarship Fund by mail at Manatoa Health Foundation, ATTN: ERDMHE Scholarship Fund, P. O. Box 802865, Chicago IL 60680-2851. More information is available on the internet at www.manatoa.org/scholarship. In honor of Eldora’s memory and legacy, this fund will help defray the educational expenses of deserving students who are pursuing health-related certificates and degrees at U. S. colleges and universities.