I miss you Sweetie!  But you’re always with me too.  With your great laugh and bright spirit, you were always ready to fight for the needs of others.  We had a lot of fun, didn’t we?  Can’t wait to see you on the other side of the rainbow bridge…

You and the girls always brighten the salon with love and laughter and are always in our hearts.

With Love, 
 Nicole from the Salon at Ulta

Your laugh and smile was priceless!♥️

The first day I met you at church, I was like who is this crazy white lady! Lol with time we grew closer, youth outings, sleepovers etc. You were always the first one to volunteer or donate to the youth group. Darla you always had a passion for children and it showed through your love and dedication. To our youth group, children's ministry and of course your children. You had such a passion for worship and the word of God. Most of all your heart of giving. You opened your home to me and my family, when we lost everything. You (no one else) were the one who came to my house with a box of groceries when I had none. We laughed together, cried together, and even grieved together when you lost Tyler.  We lived together for three years, and till this day we remember it all. My family and I got to experience places and adventures because of Darla, that we would have never been able to go too. You loved my children like your own and I am eternally greatful, and because of you I was able to get Anthony the care he needed at a young age. BUT what I will remember the most is our talks, hours and hours about life, God, children. You were such a wise woman and taught me how to value time with my children. You taught me various recipes(which I still have), you loved being in the kitchen♥️. My gosh too many memories to recount.  You taught me not to judge a book by it's cover, which you knew well. You were always misunderstood.... You were one of the Best mom's and friend I will ever know. Though our seasons passed, we will never forget the good times. To Abby, Drew, Josi, and Hollie: we love you guys no matter though how much time or space. Your mom was an amazing woman and her legacy will live on in the kindness and love of you guys. We pray that God will continue to carry you. Michael and I are here if you ever need us. 
Love,
Michael and Roselie Rivera

To the Perry Family 
Darla was a lovely mother and friend ! We are so Sorry for her  loss ! Our Condolences and prayers go out to Abby and Drew and the family!  May God continue to give you peace and rest during this time !  If there is anything we can do to help please feel free to call on me ! Pastor Hector & Evelyn Gomez 

Darla was a very special woman. She was kind, generous and above all, a person of integrity. 

My memories of her will always be centered around what Darla did best..she made you feel at home and her specialty was giving her life to bless and be hospitable to others. 

She had a gift for making everyone feel welcome in her home; she always made time to give an encouraging word. She entertained guests with a flair of elegance and with an abundance of food and beverage. She loved life, she loved her family and her friends. Most of all, she loved God and His influence on her life was obvious and radiant. 

Darla loved her family unconditionally and made sacrifices for each member. Her passion for life and her attention to the needs of her children were her godly traits of goodness and compassion. 

She was my dear friend and in many ways she was a mentor teaching me how to be a better person — for that and her friendship, I am eternally grateful. 

I will miss my dear friend, but with the blessed hope that one day,...I will see her again. 

Dedicated to Darla....

The Heavens have a new star 
It shines brighter than the rest
It’s brilliant and it glows each night
So warm, such a precious sight

Its warmth reflects her loving heart
Its light is like her glowing spirit 
Her journey, only now begins
In a place of joy and peace

Until we meet again dear friend
Cherished memories I will keep 
Holding tightly to this precious hope
We’ll meet again on Heaven’s streets

Darla was truly a special person ... a warm, loving and generous friend and mother.  She was always ready to encourage you with her wisdom and/or sense of humor. She will always hold a special place in my heart. My deepest sympathies go out to her children and family. 

I know Darla for few years, I’m the family driver, but I was treated like a friend...  RIP we gonna miss you a lot, .. she came to our first baby shower.. I admire her bubbly personality and kindness. I remember few trips to Orlando that I took her , where we talked about restaurants, we shared our love for good food!!
My family will miss and remember you forever...

Never ready to go back to reality. And definitely not this reality Of not having you here. 

No Rain
I met Darla when we worked together as RN’s in Florida’s Healthy Start program in 1995.  Darla saw our young teen moms, all with overwhelming problems, as beautiful human women  who were full of potential and hope for the future.  I didn’t know it then but I was about to begin an exciting adventure on the Darla Perry Friendship Express as I began one of the most impactful relationships of my life. We share a lot of life’s most important things.  Darla and I fought side by side in a special war called Make Florida Public Schools Do the Right Thing for My Child. My son, Gabe, had a learning disability but with Darla’s support, we won that war! Gabe graduated from Citrus High School despite his teachers. He later became a Combat Rescue Officer in the United States Air Force, rescuing soldiers and civilians in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. We shared being wives in long marriages.  This requires a lot of help, tea, talk, and tears.  Our husbands were males from the other planet, so this required huge support!  We won this battle too.  Without Darla, it would have been like Britain in World War II: I can’t win by myself. I needed a girlfriend who got me. Later we shared the special adventure of being adoptive moms in transracial families. We shared being blessed with being biological moms and  this can feel like a battle too, but instead, it is a calling.  With a friend like Darla, it becomes another party: messy, out of control, and fun.We even shared the frustration of having a physical body that is not up to what we want to do. We weren’t afraid to tell God how unhappy we were about it.   Darla showed the truth of life as a strong woman who is limited in body but limitless in spirit. Darla, you have now beat me to heaven. You are dancing like the Bee Girl in No Rain by Blind Melon and making the saints do – well – whatever you want!  See you soon, Sister. And someday we’ll walk/The streets of gold.  Streets of Gold by Need to Breathe https://youtu.be/Cs8fyggXG

Dipping our toes into the water in Greece 

So many amazing memories that come to mind when I think of Darla. She has been another mom to me after losing my parents. The good times and the bad she has always been there. We have had many amazing memories and adventures and I will miss you more than words can describe.  Tea parties, traveling, dancing, long talks, talks with strangers, words of wisdom will all be missed but most of all your infectious laugh. Love you Momma D. 

Darla's sweet and calming nature was endearing  and inspiring. All my love to her family, including my dear girl, Joscelyn. ♥️

I met Darla at  Rogers Behavioral Health in Tampa while both of our daughters were in intensive outpatient therapy in 2016. My daughter and I were very scared and missed our home and family in CT.
We stayed 10 weeks in FL . Darla was so very supportive and kind to us. I will remember always the very sweet card she gave me when my daughter was admitted to the psych hospital for 10 days. I remember when we moms went out for lunch and Darla and I shared truffle fries . She kept our moms group from Rogers entertained and in awe with her almost daily posts to our group chat. She has sent me cards to cheer me up randomly over the last four years.
She’ was an amazing woman who
never let her life obstacles bring her down and spread joy to everyone.
She will be missed. 
My condolences to all of her family.❌⭕️

Darla, I had so much fun with you with our girls group at church. Teaching the girls to go camping was my favorite memory of all. You were such an amazing woman of God and such a blessing to your children! You will be missed but will always remain in our hearts. 

I knew Darla through her daughter Joscelyn. As an educator who interacts with families often I will remember Darla as a great mother who put her children first. Joscelyn, my prayers and thoughts are with you.

Darla was my driving buddy and a true friend. As I would drive to work in the mornings, I would call her to help me stay awake. I could easily share with her and enjoyed hearing about her family. She had the most positive attitude even through the most difficult times.

My life changed in a great way when I met Darla! She was looking for someone to do her girls' hair and so our years of friendship began. I will miss her sweet nature, her sense of humor kept me in stitches as we made every situation a positive one, the countdown to Christmas stories may have been my favorite thing to look forward to besides those awesome cookies and treats in the cute tin. My Darla-doll will forever be remembered and cherish in my heart. 

Darla was such a kind person, joyous and always smiling. I feel that I am better to have known her, and for that I am thankful.  My deepest sympathies and condolences to her family and friends.

We are very sorry to have lost such a beautiful soul, Darla was filled with so much joy, very positive person and great sense of humor.   She loved her family so much and had so much fun doing special things for them.   We miss her greatly and her hilarious daily updates.     I miss you and our fun times!  She is GREATLY MISSED!!!!  

OBITUARY

Darla Diane Perry

November 15, 1963 – May 4, 2020

Blount & Curry Funeral Home-Carrollwood

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