Deidre Lynn Darnell

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Deidre Lynn Darnell. A woman of Christian faith, she graced this world with her presence on May 8, 1962, in Mt. Sterling, to the late Vernon “Fuzzy” and Gloria Clemons Darnell. The Lord heard Deidre's cry and set her free to reach the pearly gates October 23, 2024, in Lexington, at Baptist Health, surrounded by the love of her family and friends.

 Deidre will be fondly remembered for her caring nature, infectious laughter, and outgoing personality. She was never afraid to speak her mind when needed, especially after she started having health issues, the staff at Baptist Health shared many stories about “Miss Dee”. She was always genuine and true in her interactions with others, we all knew where we stood in her circle. Deidre found joy in music, her gift was shared throughout Kentucky and other states, at funerals, weddings, church services and other venues, even at the prestigious Apollo in New York City. She cherished moments spent with friends, watching football, especially supporting the Kentucky Wildcats basketball and the Cincinnati Bengals. A lover of soap operas, she found solace in the drama and tales on screen. She loved singing in various groups with her friends, shopping and going out to eat at various restaurants. She loved to share pictures of her friends and family, gospel singing and funny videos on social media, even during her illness, she kept up us to date on her conditions, even to the very end.

 Deidre was a humble servant and a member of Main Street Baptist Church in Lexington, Ky., on the battlefield for the Lord for many years. Deidre pursued a career as an I.T. Specialist in the retail industry, where she employed at Galls for 33 years She will be lovingly remembered by her surviving relatives, her brother, her main caregiver Kevin “Tank Head”, (as she affectionately said) Darnell (Sherees), her “son” nephew Zavier “Bugg” Darnell, niece and nephew, Emily Thompson and Lukas Thompson, her “work husband” Jason Kemper, her brother from another mother, Tony Douthitt, her work brother Paul Hamilton, special cousins Angie Cummins and Pam Boyd, her longtime friend and nurse caregiver, Joetta Jouett, and her childhood friend/caregiver Lillian Gerton, her Galls work family and her Main Street Baptist Church family, along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

 Deidre's Homegoing Celebration will be at Greater First Baptist Church, 247 Montgomery Street in Sharpsburg, Ky. Visitation services will be held on October 29, 2024, 5:00pm to 8:00pm. The celebration of life for our dear Deidre will take place on October 30, 2024, at 11:00 am at the church with Rev. Victor Sholar, Senior Pastor at Main Street Baptist Church, Lexington, Ky, her pastor, will be delivering the eulogy. Following the service, we will say our good-byes to Deidre at the Olive Hill Cemetery in Mt. Sterling, Ky.

 Pallbearers: Troy Darnell, Lukas Thompson, Bruce Jones, Chris Darnell, Jason Kemper, Steve Jeffries, Paul Hamilton, and David Wilson

 Honorary Pallbearers: Virgil Covington, Alvin Jones, Harvey Ashby, Alfego Ragan, Chris Cole, and Shane Higdon

 In lieu of flowers the family request donations in memory of Deidre to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, Maryland 21741

 As we gather to say good-bye to our sister to Deidre Lynn Darnell, let us hold onto the memories of her exuberant life, her strong faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ and her love of purple. We all were blessed to know and be in the presence of Deidre Lynn “Miss Dee” Darnell and the love she shared with all who were fortunate enough to know her. Deidre’s soul is at rest, and she would tell us today: Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free, I’m following the path my God laid for me, I could not stay another day, tasks left undone must stay that way, I found my place in heaven, at the close of the day. I will see you in the morning.