Regina James

March 7, 1944- August 8, 2022

Born in Brownsville, PA on March 7, 1944 to Regina Havens and Paul Havens.

She spent her early years living in Brownsville, PA with her maternal grandparents, Johanna (James) Curry and Francis B Curry attending Catholic School and then marrying her high school sweetheart, Roger Darling after graduation.

They had two children, Michael Ray Darling and Dawn Darling Motes.

She moved to Columbus, Ohio and became a Licensed Practical Nurse for many years and worked for several distinguished surgeons in the Columbus area.

She later directed her interest into the banking world and moved to Falls Church, VA where she accepted a position with the Navy Federal Credit Union Headquarters office out of Vienna, Va.

She earned several promotions during her tenure with NFCU and achieved one of the highest civilian positions as the first female Branch Manager stationed at the Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville Florida where she retired with honors after 25 years of service.

She was introduced to HR “Buddy” James on a dinner date in the summer of 1995 and three weeks later he proposed to her. They became inseparable and quickly took up traveling, antique shopping, and cattle ranching, where they both shared an infinite love for feeding cows, donkeys and all the wildlife on their farm. They enjoyed spending time at their property on the St Johns River in Bostwick and caring for their much-loved and overly pampered Chow dogs.

She would tell you that “Bud” was the love of her life and she treasured every minute God gave her with him. She was a woman of strong faith and never failed to give thanks to God each day for all her many blessings and pray for those less fortunate.

She was a loving daughter, granddaughter, sister, wife, aunt, and true friend to so many over the course of her life. Above all, her greatest gift was being the most loving, caring and constantly giving mother who loved her children unconditionally and with all her heart and being. She would always tell you in reply to an I love you, that she loved you MORE. She will be missed beyond written or spoken words.

She is survived by her daughter, Dawn Darling Motes (Larry), Jax, FL, her son Michael Ray Darling, (Laurie) Shawnee, KS. Three stepchildren, Mike James, Ricky James and Karen Maddox, Jax, FL. Sisters, Denise Canfield (Marvin), Janet Orendorff (Robert), Anita Hines (deceased), Rita Carico, Columbus, Ohio. Brothers, Dr Kevin Meyers (Dore) Anchorage, AK, Michael Whatley, and Jeff Whatley, (Shelia) Columbus, Ohio. One granddaughter, Kelly Darling and several nieces and nephews.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com for the James family.