February 2, 2021, 86, Elm City –

Mrs. Jessie Darden Peaden, 86, resident of the Elm City area, passed away peacefully in her sleep during the early morning of Tuesday, February 2, 2021.

She had been long time sales clerk in the cosmetics department at J. C. Penney Co.

Mrs. Peaden is survived by Willie Gray Peaden, her husband of 26 years; their children, Janet M. Asbill of Calypso, Audrey King (Ben) of Princeton, Debbie McCoy (Ricky) of Stantonsburg, Willie G. Peaden, Jr. (Karen) of Wilson, Beverly Lovegrove (John) of Franklinton, Rose Moore (George) of Winterville, Tammy Johnson (John) of Wilson, Angie Pearson (Bryan) of Raleigh, and Michael Peaden (Theresa) of Wilson; 17 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; brothers, Danny Darden of Mount Olive and Phil Darden of the Originial Washington; two sisters, Maybelle Ezzell (Dennis) of Warsaw and Susan Potter of Warsaw; and many nieces and nephews to include Jean Rice.

Loved ones preceding Mrs. Peaden in death include a son, Jerry Mercer; her parents, McEnnis and Myrtie Brock Darden; and two brothers, Frank Darden and Louis Darden.

Funeral services will be held by the graveside at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 4, in the Calypso Cemetery in Calypso NC (First Street)