BRANCHVILLE — Mrs. Mary Anna Drew Darden Bryant, 100, peacefully slipped into eternal slumber on the morning of Wednesday, May 16, 2018, while in the serenity of her home.

Mary was born on Friday, July 13, 1917, in Southampton County, Virginia, to the union of the late David Drew and Rosa B. Barrett.

Cherishing her life, legacy and spirit are eight children, Lonnie Darden (Martha) of Jamaica, New York; Ernestine Darden Henderson (James) of Brooklyn, New York; Eddie Frank Darden and Joan Darden Whitehead, both of Branchville, Virginia; Azalia Darden of Brooklyn; Michael Darden (Bernita) of Boykins, Virginia; Ruby Bottoms Wright (Jack) of Neptune, New Jersey; and James Britchard of Asbury Park, New Jersey; 27 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; 24 great-great-grandchildren; two brothers-in-law, Walter Deloatch of Seaboard, North Carolina, and Lawrence Collins of Elmira, New York; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The viewing will be from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, in T.L. Faison’s Funeral Care LLC, in Seaboard.

The celebration of life will be at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, at Galilee Baptist Church in Branchville, with the Rev. Elton R. Buffaloe delivering words of comfort.

Mrs. Bryant will lie in state one hour prior to service. She will be laid to rest in Rising Star Baptist Church Cemetery in Branchville.

Condolences may be registered at www.faisoncares.com.