On Friday, January 19, 2018, the death angel came and bore the bright spirit of Darryl Watson away to a land that is free of sickness, sorrow and pain.

Darryl was born September 22, 1965, in Biloxi, Mississippi to Loretta Hays and James Black. At an early age, he accepted Christ and was baptized at Main Street Baptist Church. He was active in the Cub Scouts (Webeloes) and also made an appearance on the children's show Romper Room.

His family soon relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, where he attended the Shelby County Public School System. He graduated from Raleigh Egypt High School in 1983. While at Raleigh Egypt, he played the trombone in the High School band and organized a dancing group that was frequently booked for local events. Because of his high test scores and academic excellence, Darryl was offered several academic scholarships. He would matriculate to Mississippi Valley State University but later transferred himself to Alcorn State University where he was given a full academic scholarship.

His chosen profession was carpentry. He was trained by his late uncle, Thado Hays, Jr. and his late cousin, Johnnie C. Brimage. His career spanned 30 years and he volunteered his skills wherever there was a need. Darryl had a very large heart and a giving spirit. He never met a stranger and always had a smile on his face. More than anything, DARRYL LOVED HIS FAMILY!

Preceding him in death are his beloved grandparents, Christell G. Hays, Thado Hays, Sr. and Adele Black and uncles, Thado Hays, Jr. and Curtis L. Hays, Esquire.

He leaves to mourn his passing: his Mother, Loretta Watson, Jackson Mississippi; Father, James (Bobbie) Black, Biloxi, Mississippi; Siblings, Roselyn (Marlon) Smith, Lakeland, Florida, Maurice Watson, Lakeland, Florida, Tonya (Michael) Lewis, Clinton, Mississippi, Jocelyn (Patrick) Bass, Gulfport, Mississippi, Jamie Black, Biloxi, Mississippi; Dr. April (Savante) Stringfellow, Madison, Mississippi, and Joi (Joel) Tate, Biloxi, Mississippi; uncle, John C. (Brenda) Hays, Mendenhall, Mississippi; aunts, Janice (Curtis L.) Hays, Mendenhall, Mississippi, Bobbie (Thado) Hays, Lakeland, Florida, and Jimmie (Thado) Hays, Mobile, Alabama; great aunts, Margell (R.C.) Campbell, Toledo, Ohio, and Mary Louise (Annise) Lofton, Toledo, Ohio; great uncle, Earl (Ida) Gregory, Toledo, Ohio; nephews, Chance Smith, Landon Stringfellow, James Patrick Bass, and Jacob Bass; nieces, Kristin Bass, Camryn Smith, and Bailey Stringfellow; a special cousin, Jeffrey (Felicia) Gregory, Magee, Mississippi; a special brother, Larry (Stacy) Rankin, Lakeland, Florida; and a host of cousins.