Elena Darnell

ELENA "LENY" DARNELL, Age 76, died May 19, 2025, at Holston Valley Hospital in Kingsport, Tennessee. (July 20, 1948 to May 19, 2025)

At the wishes of the decedent, no formal services will be held. A Celebration of Life event will take place on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the home of David and Stacie Darnell at 165 Lady Lane, Fall Branch, TN 37656, to which all friends and family are invited to remember the life of Elena Darnell.

Elena was born to Arch and Roby Matney in Grundy, Virginia. She was the youngest of five children, three of whom have predeceased her: Billy Ray Matney, Tonda Fluke, and Veda Brown. She is survived by her brother, Swanson Matney, and his wife, Mary; her loving daughter, Jennifer "Ginger" Darnell; and her son, Nevada "David" Darnell and wife, Stacie; and her three grandchildren, Devin, Dalton, and Andrew Darnell. She married the love of her life, Snooky Darnell, who had their 55th wedding anniversary in 2022, just before Snooky's passing on May 21, 2023. Elena attended Feds Creek High School and Grundy High School. She obtained her cosmetology license in Tennessee in 1970 before attending Whites Ferry Road School of Biblical Studies in West Monroe, Louisiana, in 1976 with her husband. She went into the Ministry with her husband, who served as Pastor in Twin Falls, Idaho, and returned to Virginia to serve as interim Pastor in Lebanon, Virginia, from 1977 to 1981. The couple returned to east Tennessee in 1981 where Elena purchased her own beauty salon, the Carousel, which operated in Johnson City for over 10 years when she ventured into a new location and business known as, The Expo Styling Studio, a premier hair studio, in Johnson City, which she operated and served as beautician to her wonderful clientele through her retirement in 2005.

She and her husband raised and showed Tennessee Walking and Racking horses both locally and nationally for over twenty years, maintaining a horse stable on their farm in Fall Branch, Tennessee.

Elena was a very caring, loving individual who cared for her husband, Snooky, through his passing in 2023, always showing grace and patience in the most tragic of times, including through the loss of her husband and two sisters within a short period. She was a loving mother, made the best breakfast biscuits and gravy, and always had a warm ear to listen to anyone's problems. She had a heart of gold and would help anyone who needed it. She was a serious student of the Bible and a strong supporter of Les Feldick Ministries. She attended Emmaus Baptist Church, 5842 W. Carters Valley Rd., TN 37645, until she was hospitalized. The Church has been a wonderful body of believers visiting Elena faithfully during her last days.

The last month of her life was spent in a hospital suffering from illnesses her weak body could not overcome. Her daughter, Ginger, spent the last month by her mother's bedside showing extraordinary kindness, patience, and love for her mother. Elena knew she was loved by her children, grandchildren, family, and friends. She now resides in a Heavenly place with no more pain or sorrow; no more wondering what tomorrow will be like; and has begun her NEW life in Eternity with the Lord.

The family would like to thank anyone reading this for your support and continued prayers, and leave you with this message: Believe, repent, and have faith in Jesus Christ. Our parents were faithful in often turning to Romans 1 through 8 for continued guidance in their Christian walk. She would want everyone to read the following and know of the gift God has given you if you simply accept it.

Romans 3:21-23

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in[] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[] through the shedding of his blood-to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished- 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Our mother, Elena, was saved by the blood of Christ, and we want all who read this to please read Romans 1 through 8 to learn what God has given you, if you believe and accept His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

May God Bless each and every one of you who read this. My mother will be missed on this Earth, but we can celebrate knowing she has run the race of life and reached the finish line as a faithful servant.