Virgil Wayland Darby, 78, of Florence, passed away November 12, 2012. Visitation will be 12-2 p.m. Thursday, November 15, at Wesley Chapel UMC. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. Officiating will be Rev. Bill Smith, Rev. Tom Moye, and Rev. Jerry Hastings. Burial will be in Wesley Chapel Cemetery. Wayland was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Jackson and Pearl McFall Darby, infant sister Amye Dell Darby, infant son John Michael Darby. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Shirley Carole Darby; sons, Tim Darby (Laura) and Jack Darby (fiancée, Tiffany); sisters, Marie Weeks (Jack) Winfield, and Christine Kennedy (Charles) Conyers, Ga; grandchildren, Alyssa Darby, Ashlyn Darby, Anna Darby, and Peyton Shelby. Wayland was a member of Wesley Chapel UMC, and served as cemetery trustee for several years. Some of his most enjoyable years were spent working in the cemetery with Inah Mae Abramson and Wilbert Anderson. He was an army veteran serving in Germany 1956-1958 and 5 ½ years in the Alabama National Guard. He was a retired farmer and while in school attained an American Farmer Degree from Future Farmers of America. Pallbearers are Scott Austin, Lendon Brown, George Cook, Greg Haddock, Randy Hill, Dr. Allen Long, Ralph Long, and Charles Marks. Honorary pallbearers are Harry Austin, Howard Humphrey, John Sandy, Frankie Willard, and Wesley Chapel Seniors SS class. Loving thanks to caregivers Jane, Heather, Lisa and Laura. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wesley Chapel Cemetery.
