Darby Kaye McCaslin Cardona, age 86, passed away on October 29, 2024, at her home with her family by her side.
Darby Kaye Cardona was a beloved mother to Chuck (Nina) and Chris (Tiffany), daughter of Jessie and Allen McCaslin, trusted sister to Roy McCaslin, and deeply loved grand and great-grandmother to Jessica, Edward, Bella, Aden and Kingston Cardona.
She was a daring woman for her time. As Valedictorian of her 1956 Dickson High School class, she enrolled in the Mid State Baptist Nursing School with the help of a $500 Rotary scholarship that paid nearly all her expenses. From there, she worked at the old Dickson General, then Parkview Hospital in Nashville until the call of travel and adventure led her to commission as first lieutenant in the Air Force in 1968. She served five years where she met her husband Chuck, earned the rank of Captain, and eventually started her family.
She returned to Dickson in 1980 as a single mother to two boys. After a short stint working in Nashville at St. Thomas Medical Center, she began a 25-year continuation of her nursing career at Goodlark Hospital (now Horizon Medical Center)
Over the course of her years there, she cared for her patients on the floor, (working the night shift so she could be present for her sons during the day), attended to the ER, and assisted in surgery and recovery. She retired as the nursing supervisor for surgery in 2005.
She loved her retirement. She traveled both near and far, with friends and family. She loved her sports, in person and on TV, especially her Vols AND Lady Vols and Titans. She was a long-time member of Walnut Street Church of Christ. She loved the time spent with her grandchildren most of all.
Darby leaves a legacy to her family and friends of what a powerful thing an education can bring to your life. She will always stand as a pillar of strength for her family.
Always remember that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday, November 1, 2024, at 12 Noon from the chapel of the Taylor Funeral Home. Bro. Steve Baggett will officiate along with her sons, Chuck and Chris. Visitation will be on Thursday evening, October 31st from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Friday beginning at 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Burial will be in the Middle TN Veterans Cemetery on Monday, November 4, 2024 at 2 PM. http://taylorsince1909.com
Those desiring, memorials are suggested to the Dickson Humane Society or to Dickson County High School Soccer.
For more obituaries visit https://dicksoncountysource.com/obituaries/
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