Rose Carol Darden

“To everything there is a season, and a time to a every purpose under the heaven, A time to be born…”Rose Carol was born on October 22, 1948 in Baltimore, Maryland to the late Arthur and Caroline Basnight. She attended Douglas High School in Baltimore City and later worked diligently and obtained her General Education Diploma from the state of Maryland.A dedicated, loyal and hard worker Rose was employed as a Dietitian Aide at Maryland General Hospital where she remained for 33 years. This level of commitment is unheard of in today’s society.Family and traditions were important to Rose. She had two traditions that family played a prominent role in the first being Christmas Eave. The holiday officially began when all her children, their significant others, her siblings and their children would meet at her home to drink eggnog and eat dinner. The central part of the evening would be when everyone was permitted to open one gift.To make Christmas Eve even more special, during her children’s younger years her husband routinely played the role of Santa. Once they were older he continued playing Santa for their nieces and nephews.Another family tradition that was significant for Rose was the establishment of Wednesday as Family Day. No matter the weather or outside commitments, the family would gather to spend time with each other. Whether playing board games such as Monopoly and Scrabble, (where the rules were routinely thrown out the window).Or going to the movies, another favorite pastime, they came together each Wednesday as a family to enjoy one another’s company.Maintaining relationships between and amongst her children was also paramount to Rose. She would often say to them. “Did you call your brother? Your sister today?”Going out to eat was a special event for Rose and her husband Willie Darden, Sr. whom she loved and cared for deeply. During the later part of her illness they made it a practice to dress up and set out each Saturday to a new restaurant. It became an adventure that she looked forward to and was ready for at a moment’s notice.Rose was and enthusiastic reader whose love of books extended beyond reading them. She had and artistic Flare that was demonstrated by her ability to recreate all of her romance and mystery novel’s book jackets.Throughout her lengthy illness one could describe Rose’s character as being determined, independent, courageous and optimistic. This was evidenced as she continued to shop for herself, carried on conversations as though she was in perfect health and made long range plans. She never wanted to be a burden to anyone and would never complain. Her family and friends will greatly Miss Rose.Rose was preceded in death by one sister; Mary Johnson and stepson; William Darden.She leaves to mourn her memroy, her husband, Willie Darden, Sr., her children, Dion Basnight, Deirdre Basnight, Jermaine Bowman, Shawn Darden, all of Baltimore, Maryland; stepchildren, Debra Carmichael, Willie Darden, Jr., Tina Darden and Danquel Darden also of Baltimore, Maryland; grandchildren, Kayla Parker, Chenell Parker Monvette King; siblings, Joyce Smith of Baltimore, Maryland, Arthur Basnight of Detroit, Ellis Basnight and Suprenina Weedon of Baltimore, Maryland; a daughter-in-law, Tonya, one godchild who was also her niece, Dienata Williams, both of Baltimore, Maryland and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Tributes

Rose Carol Darden

October 22, 1948 - February 3, 2004