Paul M. Darden's Obituary
Paul Maurice Darden, Lifelong Nashvillian and Korean Conflict Veteran, Dies at 95
Paul Maurice Darden, a lifelong Nashville resident and Korean Conflict veteran, passed away peacefully at home on March 4, 2026, at the age of 95.
Born January 29, 1931, in Nashville during the Great Depression, Paul was the son of Gilbert Marshall Darden Sr. and Martha Frances Cartwright. He grew up on Arthur Avenue in North Nashville with siblings Gilbert Marshall Darden Jr. and Betty Jean Darden Walker, both of whom he outlived.
Paul served in the U.S. Army from August 1953 to May 1955 during the Korean Conflict, with his final assignment in a hospital unit in Verdun, France. Military service was a family tradition: his father served in World War I, his brother Gilbert Jr. in World War II, and cousins including William Allen Darden Jr. (WWII and post-war Korea, 1946) and Sgt. Roy Darden Jr. (killed in Korea, 1950).
A devoted member of First Baptist Church, Paul served as a Sunday School teacher and found deep spiritual strength in the congregation. Over his career, he worked at Nashville Electric Service (NES), the Baptist Sunday School Board, and the Southern Baptist Convention. An avid dog lover, he volunteered for 19 years as a reading instructor at Pennington Elementary School and at ARC in Lebanon, while supporting animal welfare and veteran organizations, including Tunnels to Towers. Paul's Celebration of Life will be held March 19, 2026, at First Baptist Church, Nashville, Tennessee. Visitation starting at 9:00, service at 10:00. He will be buried at Spring Hill Cemetery immediately following.
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