Darrell Mayo Windley, Sr. | Eastern NC Now

Born: September 5, 1932 Death: March 28, 2014

    Darrell Mayo Windley, Sr., age 81, a resident of Ellis Cove, Belhaven, NC passed away Friday, March 28, 2014, at his home.

    There will be a celebration of his life at 2:30 PM, Sunday, March 30, 2014, at Free Union Free Will Baptist Church, officiated by Rev.

    Tony Parrish. Burial will follow in the Smithton Cemetery, Belhaven. Juhny "Bee" Brinn, Jr., Leroy Waters, Tony Azevedo, Melvin Keech, Myron Elliott, Luke Whitley, Leonard Windley and Joe Ratcliff, Jr. will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at Free Union Free Will Baptist Church fellowship hall on Saturday, March 29 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and other times at the home.

    Darrell was born September 5, 1932, in Beaufort County, son of the late David Herman Windley and late Margaret "Maggie" Radcliff Windley. He graduated from Bath High School in 1951 and married Sarah Smith Windley who survives. Darrell received a senior superlative for being the most courteous and friendliest student, was secretary of the local FFA, was president of the 4-H club during his junior year and was class president his senior year. He was a self-employed meat distributor and a farmer. Darrell was a charter member of the Pantego Ruritan Club, was on the Board of Trustees at Free Union Free Will Baptist Church where he was an active member. He was also a member of the Benevolence Committee at Free Union Free Will Baptist Church and a past member of the Pantego Fire Department Association. He loved life and being around people. He enjoyed fishing and boating and he loved living on the Pungo River which he called, "Paradise".

    In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, Darrell "Ricky" Windley, Jr. and wife Ginger of Belhaven, Jeffrey Windley and fiancé Gail of Greenville and Paul Windley of Chocowinity; his daughters, Angela Gue and husband Rudy of Chocowinity and Lisa Woolard and husband Jeffrey of Washington; his brother, Dalton Windley and wife Cora of Washington; his sister, Argil Ratcliff; eleven grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren with one on the way, Brody Darrell Windley.

    In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Joseph Ratcliff and his grandson, Richard Tilton.

    Memorials in Darrell's memory may be made to the Youth Fund at Free Union Free Will Baptist Church, 4961 Free Union Church Rd., Pinetown, NC 27865.

    The family would like to thank Asera Care Hospice, especially Barbara "BB" Blount, for helping making his last days comfortable through her loving care.