May 3, 2023
May 3, 2023
Happy Birthday Darla!! <3
Welcome everyone. This memorial website was created in memory of beautiful Darla Roy, born on May 3, 1940 and passed away on September 15, 2015. Regardless of how well you knew her, everyone is welcome to leave a tribute below and share your condolences with the family. If you knew Darla, you might also share a memory on the Stories tab, or upload a favorite photo in the Gallery. We appreciate your visit to the site; together we can celebrate her full life and loving heart.
PS. We're also inviting folks to celebrate her by eating a piece of pie in her memory, which we know she would love. If you'd like to know one of her favorites, we've put a pie recipe in the Stories section, straight from D's recipe box.
Tributes
Leave a tribute
September 15, 2022
September 15, 2022
Happy heavenly birthday Aunt Dah
I sure miss you
Love to sweet Leah and family and Brandon and his family
I sure miss you
Love to sweet Leah and family and Brandon and his family
May 3, 2022
May 3, 2022
Thinking of you and miss you so much
Love to the family
Love to the family
May 3, 2022
May 3, 2022
Happy Birthday in Heaven, Darla! I love you just as much now as ever!
September 15, 2020
September 15, 2020
We miss you Darla! Thanks for all the love! We carry you with us wherever we go!
May 3, 2020
May 3, 2020
Happy heavenly birthday Aunt Dah
Love to Uncle Sam, Leah and Brandon
Love to Uncle Sam, Leah and Brandon
September 15, 2019
September 15, 2019
I miss Her. Think of her often with so many happy memories .
May 5, 2019
May 5, 2019
We (the Lambda Chi Group) miss you very much, Darla. Dottie and I lost track of you and Sam for a while, but then found each other about fifteen years ago. Dottie and I were so honored when you all visited us at our place in North Carolina.
September 15, 2018
September 15, 2018
Thank you, Darla, for dropping by with some cheery memories... and to remind me that I can do what I need to today to brighten it for others. My love always.... Kay
September 15, 2018
September 15, 2018
I think of u and the fun we had at our LSU gathering. Drew
May 4, 2018
May 4, 2018
Happy Birthday Darla! I still feel all your love!
May 3, 2018
May 3, 2018
So very often I think of you and want you as my neighbor here... yet, I know you are with me always in loving memories. I still feel the warmth of your caring. My love to you and to your family.
September 15, 2017
September 15, 2017
Still missing you.
September 15, 2017
September 15, 2017
Much love to you all.
September 15, 2017
September 15, 2017
Thinking of all of you Roys today. xo
September 26, 2016
September 26, 2016
Darla has been a part of my heart since I first met her as Sam's 'steady girlfriend' way back yonder in the olden days. And her part of me has steadily grown over the years and she will remain very alive for me as long as I am. Her presence within me is a comfort that reduces the sense of loss I would otherwise feel in her passing. And I will continue to feel the love for her along with all the many memories of her that time cannot diminish.
September 16, 2016
September 16, 2016
I have thought many thoughts about Darla's death. My best one is that we had Darla for 70+ years. Sam had someone he cherished for 53. That is awesome. My memories of Darla will be with me always and I may get to see her when I leave.
September 15, 2016
September 15, 2016
Thinking of aunt dah today too. What a fabulous aunt and i loved her dearly. Thinking of uncle Sam; Leah and Brandon. Love you all.
September 15, 2016
September 15, 2016
Love to you all today. Anniversaries are hard. You are in my heart.
September 15, 2016
September 15, 2016
Thinking about you today, Mom. Missing you a little bit more than usual. Gonna keep you with me close all day. Sending love to all who miss you and still grieve your loss. Thank you for the gift of who you were to all of us. I love you.
June 9, 2016
June 9, 2016
Sad day, today. This would have marked our 54th wedding anniversary. Although we didn't celebrate it officially, it did mark another year of our deep and abiding affection for each other.
May 9, 2016
May 9, 2016
Time has hurried by as time does. Darla is gone from us but still alive in our hearts. And memories. She was a person like no other in all the good ways. Her endless capacity for love included so many and so much and will sustain us as much as love can. But she will be sadly missed by us as long as we live. And if there is life onward, we will thrill to see and hug her once again.
May 4, 2016
May 4, 2016
Darla, I still miss you and know you will always be with me in spirit.
May 3, 2016
May 3, 2016
Thinking of Aunt D and all of you on her birthday. I miss her.
November 13, 2015
November 13, 2015
It finally hit me today, she's really gone and I cried for the first time. I liked pretending that she was still writing her beautiful letters and laughing at Uncle Sam's jokes. I love and miss you Aunt D so much, you will always be one of my favorite people of all time.
October 30, 2015
October 30, 2015
To the Family and Friends of Darla,
Please except my deepest condolences. Although I didn't have the pleasure of knowing Darla, reading the comments from others shows that she was loved very much. I hope that you'll find comfort in knowing that you can see your loved one again during a time when "death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4)
Please except my deepest condolences. Although I didn't have the pleasure of knowing Darla, reading the comments from others shows that she was loved very much. I hope that you'll find comfort in knowing that you can see your loved one again during a time when "death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4)
October 19, 2015
October 19, 2015
We will miss Cousin Darla. Darla was a wonderful writer and storyteller, and kept us entertained with stories about the local goings on here in northeast Tennessee. And,because she loved the International Storytelling Center here in Jonesborough, TN, we decided to have a Memorial Brick honoring her placed in the Memorial Area hear the entrance to the Center . When it is installed in a couple of months, we will be able to see her name there each time we attend a performance.
October 5, 2015
October 5, 2015
Darla and I spent many hours when Finn was young and in his fussy stage, talking as all grandmothers (real and adopted ones) do about how best to give both mother and son some relief! We also had love of food in common and shared a few recipes over the years. And I was always glad to be at the house when she was cooking! Even her leftovers were fantastic. Her smile was always warm, a bit shy until you got to know her. Darla and Sam raised two warm, bright, loving children who are now passing that on to their children. Full circle Darla. Good job.
September 30, 2015
September 30, 2015
Darla,
Well, it took me a while to be able to write this to you. But in a way, I find it kind of fitting. Even without putting things into words, you and I always understood each other. Without saying it, you knew how much I loved Leah. And without saying it, I knew how much you loved Leah. We understood each other. Without saying it, you knew how much I loved you. Without saying it, I knew how much you loved me. We always just seemed to understand each other - even without words.
I think it's beautiful that the last time we said goodbye to each other (we didn't know it would be our last time), you hugged me and said, "I love you." And I hugged you back and said "I love you too." I think that may have been the first time we ever said I love you explicitly to each other, but the love between us was always there, and we both always knew it. And even though you're not physically with us, the love between us will still always be here. Thank you for the gift of your love that you've shared with ALL of us. I love you, Darla. I love you.
Well, it took me a while to be able to write this to you. But in a way, I find it kind of fitting. Even without putting things into words, you and I always understood each other. Without saying it, you knew how much I loved Leah. And without saying it, I knew how much you loved Leah. We understood each other. Without saying it, you knew how much I loved you. Without saying it, I knew how much you loved me. We always just seemed to understand each other - even without words.
I think it's beautiful that the last time we said goodbye to each other (we didn't know it would be our last time), you hugged me and said, "I love you." And I hugged you back and said "I love you too." I think that may have been the first time we ever said I love you explicitly to each other, but the love between us was always there, and we both always knew it. And even though you're not physically with us, the love between us will still always be here. Thank you for the gift of your love that you've shared with ALL of us. I love you, Darla. I love you.
September 29, 2015
September 29, 2015
Darla was the best: the heart of her home and family, a delightful friend, a great neighbor and co-worker. I have missed her and all of the Roy family since we moved to opposite sides of the country. Really thought that this next spring would be my time to visit. Larry and I spent some time in that area when he was healing from his heart transplant--what a perfect spot! Am sending love, peace, and the gift of many Darla memories to each of you: Leah, Brandon, Sam, the darling grandchildren, and all of the other relatives and friends. Each of you made her life beautiful, and she passed that glow to others every day. We are all better because she was in our lives, and I like to think she is beaming love, as Leah wrote, to me right now.
September 26, 2015
September 26, 2015
Children are a reflection of their parents. In knowing Leah, I'm sure that Darla was a beautiful soul, loving and giving to all those around her. May you rest in peace, Darla.
September 26, 2015
September 26, 2015
Aunt Dah...what a beautiful and wonderful aunt. We had many good times in Louisiana and through the years. My mom always had a horrid time washing my hair but my aunt dah had her magic touch, she could do anything and i said nothing. On one of our trips to baton rouge...i hot stuck at the top of of escalator. ...i was not coming down no way ...i was terrfied. But at the bottom was my hero aunt dah...she talked me down every step. I stayed with them to go see the lsu tigers and we ran up the stairs naming all the states. She was just so much fun and always teaching you something. I will forever remember this old man he played one he played knick knack ........
And all the marble games....
There are so many stories from her and uncle sam but i will always carry my sweet aunt dah in my my heart because i will love her forever and cannot wait to that day to be reunited with all our family.
There was nothing more she loved than Brandon and Leah. I remember holding both of them....what sweeties. And they still are and for always.
Now with Tim and I...Brandon and Leah
Ma-maw and Pa-paw's perfect four grandchildren. We had loads of fun and memories and we all should have kept in better touch but we were so far away.
Aunt Dah also was an apache belle at tyler junior collegeand i am so proud of that...
Uncle sam. I love you so much and will be here for as i told leah and brandon. My heart is broken too. But aunt dah is with us in our hearts...as the warm sun shines..as the winds blow and as we dream at night. We will see her again. Love to all the family.
Leah...kèep posting the photos...they are great....
And all the marble games....
There are so many stories from her and uncle sam but i will always carry my sweet aunt dah in my my heart because i will love her forever and cannot wait to that day to be reunited with all our family.
There was nothing more she loved than Brandon and Leah. I remember holding both of them....what sweeties. And they still are and for always.
Now with Tim and I...Brandon and Leah
Ma-maw and Pa-paw's perfect four grandchildren. We had loads of fun and memories and we all should have kept in better touch but we were so far away.
Aunt Dah also was an apache belle at tyler junior collegeand i am so proud of that...
Uncle sam. I love you so much and will be here for as i told leah and brandon. My heart is broken too. But aunt dah is with us in our hearts...as the warm sun shines..as the winds blow and as we dream at night. We will see her again. Love to all the family.
Leah...kèep posting the photos...they are great....
September 25, 2015
September 25, 2015
Goodnight, sweet D.
You moved among us with a soft but stately grace,
Your presence aglow with happy energy,
Your voice clear as any bell,
Your eyes seeing all and shining with a love for life.
Your manner subtly inviting all others to engage with you,
Your judgment always relevant and always clear,
Your opinions widely encompassing and consistently fair,
Your heart full of undying love for your dear Leah and Brandon
And your grandchildren all.
Your undying devotion reserved for your heart mate of many years: Sam Henry Roy who has the painful task of living his life
In your ever present absence.
You are already terribly missed by all of us who loved you in return.
You will still be missed for as long as we live.
We hope to see you again someday and someway.
Goodnight, sweet D
You moved among us with a soft but stately grace,
Your presence aglow with happy energy,
Your voice clear as any bell,
Your eyes seeing all and shining with a love for life.
Your manner subtly inviting all others to engage with you,
Your judgment always relevant and always clear,
Your opinions widely encompassing and consistently fair,
Your heart full of undying love for your dear Leah and Brandon
And your grandchildren all.
Your undying devotion reserved for your heart mate of many years: Sam Henry Roy who has the painful task of living his life
In your ever present absence.
You are already terribly missed by all of us who loved you in return.
You will still be missed for as long as we live.
We hope to see you again someday and someway.
Goodnight, sweet D
September 24, 2015
September 24, 2015
The first time I met Darla, I was struck by her warm and welcoming smile. She gave me a big hug and I knew my husband Alex was right – he had always told me how nice his Uncle Sam and Aunt Darla are. We kept in touch through the years through Christmas cards, emails and letters and we were lucky enough to meet the whole family a few years ago in North Carolina. You could instantly tell that the entire family was very close. We all had a great time laughing, telling stories and eating some delicious pizza.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Uncle Sam, Leah and Brandon, and the entire family. I feel lucky to have known Darla and think of her often.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Uncle Sam, Leah and Brandon, and the entire family. I feel lucky to have known Darla and think of her often.
September 23, 2015
September 23, 2015
Whenever we have holidays, especially Thanksgiving, I think of how special it was to grow up with our neighbors as our family. The neighborhood had a tradition of hosting that meal together. She will always be with us, and we will always be better for having her in our lives. With much love, Megan ( Batterman) Olson
September 23, 2015
September 23, 2015
Sam,
My sincere sympathies. I cannot begin to count the number of times I've thought of you and the difference you made in my life--certainly in the life of many of your students.
Wishing you strength through this and peace going forward.
Tim O'Keefe
My sincere sympathies. I cannot begin to count the number of times I've thought of you and the difference you made in my life--certainly in the life of many of your students.
Wishing you strength through this and peace going forward.
Tim O'Keefe
September 23, 2015
September 23, 2015
I grew up next to the Roys in Moorhead and have fond memories of celebrating many Thanksgivings together. Darla was a very kind and loving woman who I feel honored to have known. My sincerest condolences to you Sam, Brandon, and Leah, and to your entire family. I am so sorry and send love and prayers. Beth Batterman Fisher
September 22, 2015
September 22, 2015
I enjoyed the pic of our LSU group n San Antonio. Dorla looked so pretty. It was good to have Mar and Ivy that year.
September 22, 2015
September 22, 2015
While I didn't have the pleasure of meeting Darla, I am so fortunate to work with her daughter Leah everyday in the Theatre and Dance Department at Wake Forest. Leah is a dear friend, a dedicated and generous educator, an incredibly organized leader and above all, someone with an infectious laugh and love of life. She always has a moment to chat, share a hug, or offer some encouragement whenever we need it. I hope we can do that for her now as she mourns the loss of her dear mom. I send my love and support to her family. As we say in the Greek Orthodox faith tradition: "May her memory be eternal."
September 21, 2015
September 21, 2015
My favorite memory of Darla was the day we moved Leah into her first place at Wake Forest. We lugged boxes together, joked and laughed like old friends. I was so in love with Both of Leah's parents by the time we finished! What a lovely, warm, sharp, sweet person. The world is poorer for her loss, but so much richer for her having been here!
September 21, 2015
September 21, 2015
I did not really have the opportunity to know Darla but I do know and love her wonderful daughter Leah and I know how much she loved and respected her Mom, I can only imagine how deeply Darla's death has affected all who knew and loved her, especially her dear husband and children. I love that she would want us to all eat pie!
September 21, 2015
September 21, 2015
I have a wonderful memory of Darla from right after her grandson Finn was born. I came to visit Leah who was tired and overwhelmed (like all new mothers). Darla sat with us in the kitchen and told stories and laughed and ate cheeseburgers. She was such an immediate calming presence that I knew, regardless of all the new baby anxieties, Leah and Finn were going to be fine. What a gift.
September 21, 2015
September 21, 2015
Our retiring to Erwin was made richer and happier by knowing Darla. We will always remember her warmth, sense of humor and wonderful culinary skills. What a joy to have known her.
September 18, 2015
September 18, 2015
Our LSU group will never b the same without Dorla We all loved her.
September 17, 2015
September 17, 2015
Darla was always so warm, friendly and loving. Seeing her pictures reminds me of her warmth and big heart. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
September 16, 2015
September 16, 2015
I can still feel you beaming us all so much love, Mama. It was, and still is, an honor to be your daughter.
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
May 3, 2023
May 3, 2023
Happy Birthday Darla!! <3
September 15, 2022
September 15, 2022
Happy heavenly birthday Aunt Dah
I sure miss you
Love to sweet Leah and family and Brandon and his family
I sure miss you
Love to sweet Leah and family and Brandon and his family
May 3, 2022
May 3, 2022
Thinking of you and miss you so much
Love to the family
Love to the family
Gallery
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Gloria Mouton remembering Darla
August 2013 - lunch in North Carolina with the Roy family
August 2013 - lunch in North Carolina with the Roy family
Our Lambda Chi group at the reunion in San Antonio, Texas, 4/13/2010.
Darla holding court, 4/12/2010 at Lambda Chi reunion in San Antonio, Texas.
Darla and Sam at Lambda Chi reunion at Parrain's Restaurant, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, May 5, 2014.
Darla and Sam at Lambda Chi reunion at the Galvez Hotel, Galveston, Texas, 4/12/2011.
Recent stories
October 3, 2015
Darla and Sam were among the first people we met when we retired to East Tennessee in 2007. We met via a match maker of sorts. We were putting on an addition to our house. Our contractor, Herman Hensley, said that he had another client that we should meet who had similar career backgrounds to us and who were also recent transplants to the area. Herman and his wife Linda invited us and the Roys to their campsite in Rock Creek Park for a cookout. We hit it off and that began a great friendship. We soon learned that Darla had a talent for finding fun things to do from concerts, to craft shows, to theatre. She would be on the lookout for new restaurants to try. We dubbed her our social director. She would often call and ask if we had heard about this or that going on. Of course we hadn’t, but we were always game for whatever she came up with. We also enjoyed her culinary skills and eagerly accepted any invitation to sit at their table. We experienced some great Louisiana style dishes – jambalaya, dirty rice, fish eye salad (or was it frogs eye salad? – whatever its unusual name, it was delicious!). She served up some of the best crab cakes we had ever eaten – how on earth in landlocked Tennessee? She had the knack. We did not have the privilege of knowing her as long as others, but we are so thankful for the good times we had. We will always cherish her gracious hospitality, her warmth, her love for life, her sense of humor, her being such a good sport (especially when it came to sailboats).
Another mutual friend of ours is Gloria Mouton. She, too, warmly remembers Darla . She and the Roys met here in Erwin, but it turned out that Gloria is from Louisiana as is Sam and also a graduate of LSU. So when Gloria invited us to her annual porch party during Erwin’s Apple Festival, it seemed like a perfect time to celebrate Darla. We baked Darla’s cheesy apple pie as our contribution to the party. All the guests had a piece in her honor. Everyone loved the pie. It was a fitting tribute. We’re sure Darla was pleased.
Memory Lane
October 2, 2015
by Nenita Roy
When my husband and I were still dating in 1987, he brought me to Moorehead, MN to meet Sam, Darla, Brandon and Leah. They were so welcoming that I felt at ease right away. Darla as always fed us with her delicious home cooked meals.
Sam drove us on a sightseeing tour of the state and we wound up stopping to camp overnight at a campgrounds adjacent to Sandy Lake. We had heard that the lake was full of leeches so we asked the ranger when we drove onto the campgrounds. He assured us otherwise. We made camp, gathered around the fire, cooked and shared stories.
The next morning the ranger drove by and jokingly announced "Leech patrol" which made us all laugh. But soon after, Brandon saw a real live leech on the back of a turtle that crawled nearby. Leah exclaimed "GROSS!" and Darla guffawed at the sight. Seeing the leech caused my fears to return, knowing that there must be many more waiting to attach themselves to my legs. But no more were spotted.
Then when we started to decamp the wind suddenly picked up, making one of the tents to start rapidly rolling away. We all ran after it but Brandon caught up with it and halted its exodus. Everyone laughed hilariously at the sight and I still remember Darla bent over gasping with glee. That was my first camping experience and I will never forget that wonderful time and having spent it with my husband's family was an added plus.
Darla had a natural talent for making others feel comfortable,welcomed and cared about. . She will be alive for us who loved her for as long as we live.
A Poem by Darla
October 1, 2015
While working for Adult Basic Education together, we met many amazing students...we learned so much about people and what it takes to meet their needs. The job was not always easy... This poem is a great snap shot of the ABE story.
Ode to ABE
People from many cultures
In a crowded classroom
Reading, computing, learning a new language
Laughter and joyful conversation mixed with words of despair
Pungent odors from spicey foods and unwashed bodies
Immigration raids, inebriated transients with mangy dogs, and an iguana at
GED testing
Unmet dreams for many; a new beginning for some
Reading, computing, learning a new language
In a crowded classroom
People from many cultures