Darel J. Graham, 73, of Mathews County, Va., passed away peacefully at home on March 12, 2022, surrounded by loved ones.

Darel was best known to family and friends as Momma, Nana Darel and Miss Darel. Darel spent many years working as the Assistant Manager of The Islander on Gwynn’s Island. Anyone that knew her could tell you that other than her love for her family and friends, one of her greatest joys was time spent in the kitchen. Whether that was preparing for banquets and private events at the restaurant back in the day or experimenting in her own kitchen; even when she was unable to cook for herself, she would still pull out a recipe or write it down from memory and have family prepare it. Darel also loved to crochet, and she enjoyed making blankets which she would give to special people in her life.

Darel is survived by her daughter, Bonnie Hamilton (David), Gloucester, Va.; a granddaughter, Candace N. Bunting (fiancé Robert Cain), Gloucester; a step-grandson, A.J. Hamilton (Sarah); stepchildren, Ralph L. Graham (Jodie) and their extended families, Augusta, Ga.; Robin Clements (Timothy) and their extended families, Newport News, Va.; sister, Susan Patterson, Las Vegas, Nevada; an aunt, Shirley Foster and numerous cousins. Darel was preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Hilda Arasim; her husband, Lester M. Graham, and son, William S. Edwards Jr. “Fudgie.”
The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 17, 2022, at the funeral home from 1-2 p.m., with funeral services starting at 2 o’clock. Burial will be in Gwynn’s Island Cemetery.

The family would like to extend their deepest thanks to her amazing caregivers: Laura Garrett, Brenda Hudgins, Conception Tello, Angie Jenkins-Hollis, as well as her Riverside Hospice staff and Sentara Home Health staff.
Memorial donations can be made to Gloucester Volunteer Fire & Rescue, P.O. Box 1417, Gloucester, Va. 23061, or to Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, 94 Cricket Hill Road, Hudgins, Va. 23076.
Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory, Gloucester, is in charge of arrangements.