Barbara Sue Darnell

Barbara Sue Darnell, 75, of Spottsville, was called to her heavenly home on Saturday, July 24, 2021. She was born August 12, 1945 to the late William Dawson Cawhorn and Mildred Miller Cawhorn at Vanada’s Camp in Warrick County, IN. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother whose most prized possession was her family. She will forever be cherished and the absence of her bubbly, sweet presence will be heartbreaking for all that knew and loved her. Although her family is devastated by her departure, they find comfort in knowing that she is now at peace, resting in the arms of her Heavenly Father. It has been said, that where a beautiful soul has traveled, beautiful memories remain forever. She left us with such precious, beautiful memories. Her sparkling, brown eyes are now dancing the streets of gold. At a young age, Barbara met her soulmate and the love of her life, Ray Darnell. They wed November 30, 1959 and shared 61 magnificent years of marriage. Together, they built a wonderful life, laying a foundation of morals and values for their four children. The commitment, love, honor, respect, and connection in their marriage is a part of the beautiful legacy she leaves behind. Barbara was a homemaker who loved quilting and quilts in general, as seen in her abundant collection, cross stitching, scrapbooking, and crafting. She put a lot of love and time into her pieces and those fortunate to receive them will forever treasure the beautiful items gifted by her. Barbara was extremely fond of traveling to local campgrounds, especially their favorite site in Pigeon Forge where she relished in God’s beauty reflected in the site of the Great Smoky Mountains. She was an avid baker who was known for her delicious zucchini bread and cookies that she not only shared with family and friends, but tirelessly made and sold at her Highway 60 yard sale each year. Treasure hunters would return year after year, in hopes of finding her baked goods table well stocked. She took great pride in working in her yard and pleasure in planting flowers. Her patio was a welcoming and comfortable spot to gather and visit, something that she loved wholeheartedly. Barbara’s passion for online shopping will surely be missed by the delivery drivers who frequently stopped to leave those awaited packages. She found so much joy in Christmas, her most favorite time of the year. Memories of special times were something that she highly valued and held dear. She once convinced the electric company to not replace their utility pole because her little boy had left ax marks in it in an attempt to chop it down. That pole currently still stands in their yard. Barbara also had a great enthusiasm and love for UK basketball. In 1993, she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. Although the dreadful disease continued to invade her body over the last 28 years, God’s mercy surrounded her as she remained strong and courageous, always keeping a positive attitude, proclaiming that she would be alright either way. Full of love and compassion, she was a “Chemo Buddy” to her Daughter-In-Love, Jenny Darnell, who gained her angel wings last year. Both battled together the last few years with Jenny receiving her second diagnosis and Barbara her third, just a few short months apart. She’s reunited with her parents, daughter-in-love, her sister, Juanita Ellison, her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lawrence “Red” Darnell and Adie Mae Darnell, and brothers-in-law, J.R. Ellison and James “JD” Darnell. She finally can sit with her great-grandmother and learn of their Cherokee heritage, something that she has always yearned for. Other loved ones and dear friends rejoiced at her homecoming.  In addition to her husband, Ray, and her two adored fur babies, Bella and Buddy, she is survived by her daughters Becky (David) McCommac of Spottsville, KY and Tammy (Rocky) Martens of Boonville, IN; sons, Billy (Kimberly) Darnell of Salvisa, KY and Tim Darnell of Spottsville, KY; grandchildren, Ben (Tiffany) Darnell of Henderson, KY, Cody Darnell of Salvisa, KY, Madison (Wade) Denton of Robards, KY, Logan Darnell of Spottsville, KY, Ryan McCommac of Spottsville, KY, Cory (Whitney) Martens of Mt. Vernon, IN, and Amanda Baker of Indianapolis, IN; great grandchildren, Savanah and Lennon Martens and Jackson, Wyatt, Liam and Knox Baker; brother-in laws, Daryl (Jolene) Darnell, Orvis Darnell, and Web Darnell all of Spottsville, KY; sister-in-law, Marion (Ron) Humphries of Madisonville, KY; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 28 at Spottsville Baptist Church, 2130 North Wood Street, Spottsville, KY. Burial will follow at Ridgewood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 27 at Tomblinson Funeral Home in Henderson and from 9-11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 28 at Spottsville Baptist Church. Pallbearers will be Ben Darnell, Cody Darnell, Logan Darnell. Ryan McCommac, Cory Martens and Wade Denton. The family wishes to thank Dr. Edward Fox, his associates and staff at Ascension St. Vincent Cancer Center, and the nurses and aides from St. Anthony’s Hospice for their wonderful care, kindness and support.  Memorial contributions can be made to the Jennifer Lynn Critser-Darnell Memorial Scholarship Fund for Nursing payable to Madison Denton and mailed to Field & Main Bank, 140 N. Main Street, Henderson KY 42420 and/or the Ridgewood Cemetery Fund, PO Box 1612, Henderson, KY 42420.