Joseph Earl Darby

Joseph, more commonly known as Joe, was born on August 20, 1937, in Cades, South Carolina, to the late John and Lizzie (Graham) Darby. As a child, Joe lived in Lake City, SC. He attended Lake City Elementary School and received some secondary education at Carver High School. As a child, Joe attended a local African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church.

In August of 1955, at the age of eighteen, Joe enlisted in the United States Navy. He served six years in the Navy (consisting of active duty and naval reserve). Joe’s military service was during the Korean War period. During his active duty, Joe was stationed at the U.S. Naval Station in Long Beach, California. He served aboard the USS Shelton (DD-790), a gearing class destroyer. Joe fulfilled his reserve duties at the Commandant 6th Naval District in Charleston, South Carolina. On January 18, 1957, Joe received an Imperium Neptuni Regis: Shellback Certificate from the U.S. Navy. This certificate is issued to sailors the first time they cross the Equator. The ceremony of “Crossing the Line” (the “line” being the Equator) has been a part of the Naval culture for the last 200 years or more. Joe was honorably discharged from the Navy in September of 1961.

Joe moved from his small hometown in South Carolina to “The Big Apple”… New York City. While residing in New York, Joe wedded Mary Johnson (also from Lake City, SC) on October 21, 1958. At the time of his passing, Joe was recently widowed. Joe’s loving wife Mary Darby of 57 years preceded him in death by a mere 2 ½ months. Out of Joseph and Mary’s marital union, three children were born. In birth order, they are Joseph Darby Jr., James Kelvin Darby and Joyce Ann Darby.

Joe was a hardworking man. In New York, Joe was employed as a laborer and also expressed his entrepreneurial nature by being self-employed as an independent taxi cab driver.

Throughout his life, Joe had a passion for repairing automobiles. Joe studied auto mechanics at several trade schools in New York City. Thanks to his veteran benefits, Joe attended Harbor College (Wilmington, California) and continued his studies in Automotive Technology. Joe received a Degree of Associates in Arts from Los Angeles Harbor College on January 27, 1978.

Joe was a “Mr. Fix-It”. He enjoyed tinkering with cars and repairing any and everything around the house. Joe loved a mechanical challenge.

After many years of residing in New York, Joe and his family moved out west to Las Vegas, Nevada. Joe and his family lived in Las Vegas for about three years and then they moved farther west to Southern California. Joe returned to the area where he once served in the Navy, many years prior. The Golden State of California was Joe’s residence for about 40 years prior to his passing on Sunday, September 4, 2016. Joe recently celebrated his 79th birthday, in August.

In Southern California, Joe had a career as a Longshoreman at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Once again, Joe proved to be a hard worker. As a longshoreman, he loaded and unloaded freight from cargo ships to docks. Joe dealt with cargo imported and exported from all over the world. After a 20-year career, Joe retired in August of 1999. During his active employment and in retirement, Joe was a good standing member of the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU)-Local 13.

Joe is survived by his children Joe, James, Joyce and their respective significant others.

Joe loved being a granddad to his eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. Grandad Darby is survived by his granddaughters Ebony (Darby) Jackson; Phoenicia Darby; Mary Joy Darby; Jasmine Darby; Allene Darby. Joe’s grandsons are Andrew Darby, Darion Darby and Joseph Darby III. Pharoah Shareef is his great-grandson.

Joe came from a big family. He had eleven siblings (Nathan, Verdell, Louise, Julianne, Herbert, Willie, Joe Louis, Joshua, Caleb, Roosevelt and John). Joseph was affectionately known as “Big Joe” to brothers and sisters. Big Joe was preceded in death by his parents and eight siblings. Joe is survived by his aunt Corine Graham; three brothers (Caleb, Roosevelt and Joshua) and a host of nieces and nephews.