Derek Andrew Black

Derek Andrew Black “Cab Driver” was born on November 2nd, 1964, to parents Andrew & Sammie Marie Black in Austin, Texas - who preceded him in death. He gained his heavenly wings on 08/25/2024 at 9:05 am. Derek was the youngest of four (4): brother Charles E. Black (deceased), sister Jerolyn M. Dancy (deceased), and is survived by his sister Carol D. Patterson.

Derek graduated from Lyndon Baines Johnson High School in 1982. He professed his love for Christ at an early age under Rev. O. T. Arnold at New Hope Missionary Baptist in Austin, TX. During his younger years he was an active youth and young adult member and helped to secure many medals from bible drills during the Baptist Convention. Later in life, he became a member of Eastside Baptist Church where he faithfully served as a deacon under the leadership of Rev. Leland G. Dandridge until his passing. He was a member of the brotherhood, transportation department and assisted in the youth department during his membership.

In 1985, Derek met and married Martha J. Brooks-Black. To this union, one child was born, Bria R. Black, and he later gained a bonus son Elijah Brooks. In 2003, Derek married his current wife Donette E Steward and gained four additional bonus children: three (3) sons: Felton Brady, Nicholas Pimpton, and Nicolus Cooper, and one (1) daughter Krystal Revado. He leaves to mourn his absence: uncles- Simpson Adams (Glenda) & Milton Black, ten grandchildren and three great-granddaughters, and a host of nieces, nephew, and cousins. His long-time childhood friends and neighbors: The Williams Family, his Breakfast Club friends, the Mason Brotherhood members, and a wealth of friends.

In August 1985 and for almost 40 years, Derek dedicated his life to serving, supporting, and transporting others. He began his driving career working alongside his father as a school bus driver for Pflugerville ISD. In 1987 he transferred to Eanes ISD where he worked solely transporting wheelchair-bound special needs students. During this time, he attended truck driving school and began working for NTB (National Tire & Battery) formally known as NTW (Nation Tire Wholesale). However, in 1991 he garnered a position with Yellow Cab, earned his CAB License, and for the next 33 years of his life – served the Greater Austin community doing what he loved, driving a wheelchair cab. He touched the lives of everyone who had the pleasure of spending time in his cab – even a few celebrities! He took pride in making each person feel they were his only passenger.

Derek was a God-fearing and devoted father, husband, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend. No time spent was complete without making sure he filled the room with laughter and brought a smile to your face – often loving to tease you just a little bit (it’s one of the many things we’ll miss most). To him, family came first and everyone he had the pleasure of transporting, was family. No matter what he was doing or how busy his schedule was, if you called and needed help or a ride, he was there or sent someone to ensure you made it to your destination safely - often without accepting anything in return. To know Derek was to know that he loved God, his family, his friends, and food too! If you wanted to know (and even if you didn’t ask) where the best food in Austin was, Derek was the person to call - always making sure to give you the full address, directions to get there quickly, the time of day you should get there, and even a few landmarks to make sure you didn’t miss it! Whether it was directions to a certain destination, recalling the address of that location, or how to get there and avoid most of the traffic - all you needed to do was ask him or he would drop everything and take you there himself. Derek was the patriarch of his family and could always be counted on to be there when you needed him most – he will forever be missed. Job well done – love you always.