Lucy Darden Sherman died at her home in Hampton on February 4, 2026.  Lucy was born on November 26, 1958, the first child of Carol Gwaltney Darden and Charlie Wilson Darden, Jr. of Smithfield, VA, both of whom predeceased her.  When her father took a job at the Newport News Shipyard in 1966, Lucy and her family moved to a home in the Briarwood Terrace neighborhood in Hampton, where Lucy and her seven siblings, six sisters and a brother, grew up.

Lucy attended Hampton High School, where she was active in the Future Business Leaders of America organization, in which she developed excellent typing and shorthand skills.  During high school, Lucy also worked at Piccadilly Cafeteria at Coliseum Mall, the first of five Darden girls to work there.  After graduating from HHS in 1977, and through connections she made while in FBLA, Lucy took a job with Ron Miller at his State Farm Insurance Company office in downtown Hampton.  In her first two years out of high school, Lucy would work full time at State Farm, then work 3 nights during the week until close at McDonald's Restaurant in Newport News, and then would spend her weekends working alongside her sisters at Piccadilly.  "In 1985, Lucy sought and obtained a job with civil service. Her skills and dedication to her career compelled Lucy through numerous promotions and job changes, working first at Fort Monroe and then at Fort Eustis. After 36 years of service, Lucy retired in 2021 as a budget analyst." Even in those busy years, Lucy also served as the family shuttle bus, making sure her sisters got to where they needed to be for school or work.

Lucy met the love of her life, Greg Sherman, in 1980 at the Forum on Warwick Boulevard.  The two married in 1984 and moved to their home in Hampton in 1987.  Lucy and Greg welcomed their daughter, Katie Nicole Sherman, in 1994.

Lucy enjoyed playing putt putt golf, reading all kinds of unique literature, capturing precious memories and videos, crocheting, and attempting new recipes. When she wasn't busy cheering on her daughter at a school musical or play, she was busy laughing, dancing in her living room, or yapping with one of her many sisters on the telephone.

Lucy was incredibly kind, non-assuming, organized, introverted (but friendly), and extraordinarily loving of her family. She always provided a helping hand to family members who needed help, maintained close contact with the Darden family members in Smithfield, and shared an unbreakable bond with her mother.

Lucy is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Charles Wilson Darden III. She is survived by her husband, Gregory Wayne Sherman and daughter, Katie Nicole Sherman, and her sisters, Lillian "Dede" Darden Neal (Lane), Susan Darden Buckwalter (David), Dana Darden Ramirez, Stephanie Wilson Darden, Amy Darden Argabright (Noah), and Ann Delk Darden Edgar (Frank). She is also survived by 14 nieces and nephews, Justin Scott Darden, Kara Trevathan Horn, Megan Erin Trevathan, Tess Alana Ramirez, Tory Marissa Ramirez, William Coby Darden, Rachel Darden Leonardi (Stefano), Nicholas Charles Darden, Steven Randal Blalock, Sarah Anne Granger, Jordan Charles Edgar, Ian Carl Darden Edgar, Hannah Gray Darden Edgar, and Olivera Cora Darden. Additionally, she is survived by six grand-nieces and nephews, Caroline Mae Horn, Mia Rose Leonardi, Nevaeh Skye Sandidge, Noah Charles Dunham, Sophia Carmen Dunham, and Ophelia Ann Miles Darden.  She is also survived by sister-in-law, Cynthia Fuller (Jay) as well as David Post (Mel), Jeff Post (Joann), Scott Exas (Mary), Ann Blohm (Dennis), and Stephanie Hopkins (Dan); as well as nieces and nephews, Genevieve, Josie (Will), Alex, Kristen (Kyle), and Taylor (Doug); and great-nieces and nephews Garrett and Carter.

A funeral will be conducted at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, 245 S. Armistead Ave, Hampton with interment to follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday prior to the service from 12-1 pm.