Darla D. Chastain

Darla D. Chastain, 82, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 12, 2021. 

She was born and raised at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in Tahlequah, Oklahoma on December 5, 1938.  Her grandparents “Mama and Papa Towry” played a big role in her upbringing alongside her mother, Lucille.  Darla graduated with the class of 1957 from Tahlequah Senior High School, where she played the piano for the drama club and played the French horn in band.  Upon graduation, she attended Sparks Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Fort Smith, Arkansas. 

It was around that time that she met the love of her life, William “Bill” O. Chastain, whom she married on May 5, 1958.  They had three children, Robert in 1959, Scott in 1960, and Rhonda in 1965.  Darla proudly served alongside Bill for over 30 years as a Navy wife, accompanying him on assignments to Norfolk, Virginia; Beeville, Texas; Meridian, Mississippi, and Jacksonville, Florida.  Her home and children were her life’s devotion, and she faithfully bridged the gaps at home during her husband’s deployments overseas. 

Darla loved the Lord, and she embraced the promise of Romans 10:9.  She and Bill worked fervently to share that gospel with others.  They were extremely active in the music, children’s, youth, and bus ministries in their churches, including Tabernacle Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and First Baptist Church of Green Cove Springs, Florida, the town they have called home for the last 40 years.  Darla found joy in sharing her musical talents as a pianist with her church family, and she instilled her love of gospel hymns in her own children. 

She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary “Lucille” Cox, and her infant son, William “Scott” Chastain.  She is survived by her beloved husband, Bill; her son, Robert, of Green Cove Springs, Florida; her daughter Rhonda and son-in-law Mark Caldwell, of Middleburg, Florida; her grandson Stephen (Kristiana) Knowles, of Jacksonville, Florida; her granddaughter Amanda (Joe) Freeman, of Jacksonville, Florida; and her great-grandchildren Garrick, Lizzie, Alex, Grayson, Claire, Cadence, and Brooklyn. 

A graveside service will be held at the Hickory Grove Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 19, 2021, with Rev. Thomas Walker officiating.  In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a donation in memory of Darla to the SAFE Animal Shelter, 2913 County Road 220, Middleburg, Florida 32068, (904) 375-9122, safeanimalshelter.com/donations/donate/