Daphne Garland Mears answered the call of The Lord on Sunday, November 1, 2015, at her home in Kenbridge, Virginia.

  She was born January 17, 1955, to Julia Mae Garland and Albert Thomas Hatchett in Lunenburg County, Virginia.

  Daphne was baptized at an early age, and became a member of the Saint Matthew’s Baptist Church in Kenbridge, Virginia.    She received her education from Lunenburg County Public Schools.  In 2008, she began a career at Lunenburg Correctional Facility where she remained employed until her second battle with cancer.

  Her hobbies included collecting Longaberger baskets and decorating her beloved home.

  She will be remembered for her unwavering bravery and strength during her illness.      She is also known for her heartwarming smile and infectious laugh.

  She is preceded in death by her parents Julia Mae Garland and Albert Thomas Hatchett; brothers, Frances and Wayne Garland.

  She leaves to cherish her memories, her loving husband, Darrell Mears, Sr.; her children, Darrell, Jr. (Natasha), Derrick, Damien (Tia), and Dawn (Kwamaine); grandchildren, Epiphany, Desirée, Darrell III, Xavier “X”,

De’Shaun, Xavier “Zai”, Darren, Kailey, Chloé, Destiny, Kaiden, Hayden, and Carter; her sister, Sowell “Bertie” (Reverend Horace) Carter; her brothers, Randolph, Donnell, Raymond, Quinton, and Patrick Seward; mother-in-law, Octavia Christine Mears and step-mother, Ida Mae Hatchett; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; devoted family and friends, Attilia Allen, Patricia Chambers, Edna Hardy, Christine Watkins, Elsie Bright, DeLisa Curtis and Kim Jennings. In addition, the many coworkers she also befriended at Lunenburg Correctional Facility.

  Funeral services were conducted Friday, November 6, 2015, 1:00 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Baptist Church, Kenbridge, VA with Reverend Kevin A. Robinson, Pastor. Interment was in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Kenbridge, VA.

  S.P. Jones & Son Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.