John C. Varden Jr., 85, of Somerville, the West Point community, died Tuesday, August 6, 2013, at his residence.
Mr. Varden was born December 22, 1927, the son of John C. Sr. and Bessie Mae Varden. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in both the U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy, and was among those who took the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
He and his wife, the former Frances Davis have been married 63 years and have called the West Point area home for over 50 years. He was a member of New Canaan Baptist Church. He loved his family and desired of them to be close to one another. He prayed for the world to be saved and know Jesus Christ.
He is survived by his wife, Frances Varden; two sons and daughter-in-law, John C. Varden III and Jeffrey Scott and Joy Varden; a daughter and son-in-law, Paula and Luis Ayala; granddaughter, Sarah Varden; two sisters, Estelle Arrington and Gaynell Edgar. Preceded in death by a grandson, Christopher Ayala; his parents, John Sr. and Bessie Mae Varden and a sister, Odell Spalding.
Funeral service will be noon Friday, August 9, 2013, at Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel with Brother Shane Wheeler officiating. Burial will be in Crestwood Cemetery, 2209 East Broad Street, Gadsden, AL 35903, following a 2:30 p.m. Graveside Committal there at the cemetery directed by Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon also on Friday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Valley, Decatur.
