Joyce Wright Darby is a 1972 graduate of Todd County Central High School.
She values most from Todd Central the educational background she received which prepared her for college and her later career in accounting. Darby says she is very grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from the business and accounting classes at the school. She adds she will always cherish the memories of her friendships from school, as well as her teachers’ kindness, specifically Jane Groves and Evelyn Miller.
Darby advises current Todd Central students to make the most of the education they receive. She says every class and scholastic activity has the potential to make their lives better, easier, and richer and students should open their eyes to the opportunities that are made possible by a good education. She adds they should look at the success of prior Todd Central graduates and Todd County residents to realize that success is possible for “small-town” folks.
To current educators, she says they should realize their great value in shaping the lives of the county’s youth. Other than family members, Darby says educators have the closest contact and the best opportunity to affect students for good. She adds encouragement and example provided by educators is almost as important as the class content they teach.
After graduating, Darby attended Austin Peay State University and earned a Bachelor’s of Science in accounting before receiving a Masters of Business Administration from Tennessee State University. She is a Certified Public Accountant and throughout her career has held various accounting positions at Nashville Gas Company as well as the Knoxville Utilities Board. She has also served as an adjunct and assistant professor at Austin Peay State University, instructing courses in accounting, business, and finance, and as an adjunct professor at Pellissippi State Community College.
Darby was born in Sharon Grove, Kentucky and currently lives in Elkton with her spouse, Dale Darby.
Spotlights on Todd Central alumni are part of a partnership between WEKT and the TCCHS Alumni Foundation, Inc. To be featured, please visit the Alumni Foundation’s website to fill out the application.
