Gloria Nelson Darden died Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011, at her residence. She was 76.

Born in Belzoni, Mrs. Darden was the daughter of the late Robert Lee Nelson and Claudine Winslow Nelson. She was a graduate of Rolling Fork High School and attended MSCW and Delta State University.

Mrs. Darden served as commissioner of the Delta Community Mental Health Services for almost 20 years. She was a member of the Rolling Fork Garden Club and the Vicksburg Art Study Group. She was a member of the Goodman Memorial United Methodist Church in Cary.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Burt Darden of Blanton; one son, Charlie Darden of Cary; one daughter, Lee Johnson of Vicksburg; and a grandson, Logan Johnson of Vicksburg.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Rosalie Knox of Cleveland.

Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Riles Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Beth Miller, pastor of Goodman Memorial United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the service.

Pallbearers will be William Moore, Mike Lamensdorf, George Martin, Stan Kline, Charles Weissinger, John Bodie, Merritt Aden and Bob Hairston.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1380 Livingston Lane, Jackson, MS 39213; The Darden Chemical Dependency Center, P.O. Box 5365, Greenville, MS 38704; and the Goodman Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 207, Cary, MS 39054.