Darryl Harrison, 76, of Lanham Maryland

Darryl Harrison was born November 3, 1946, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Wilson Curn Harrison and Altha Rea Harrison, their second of three children and the only son.

Growing up, Darryl lived throughout the United States with his family, as his father worked with the Department of Agriculture. Darryl grew up and was educated in the school systems of Chicago, Illinois; Brooklyn, New York; Manchester, New Hampshire; and Compton, California. He graduated from Compton High in 1964, Compton Community College and, later, Ben Franklin Business School in Washington, D.C., majoring in accounting.

Darryl served in the Army National Guard and was an auditor for several union organizations, including AFSCME. He also was an internal auditor for Washington Hospital Center.

A Washington, D.C. realtor for more than 30 years, Darryl specialized in commercial and residential real estate. He began his real estate career with Ekuban Realty, spent most of his realtor career with Century 21 Realty and retired from Bennett Realty Solutions.

On October 1, 2005, Darryl married Meredith Yancey -- when he was 59 and she 50 -- in a beautiful outdoor wedding. The couple met singing together in the Heritage Signature Chorale when the tenor section leader, Dorothy Drennen, thinking the two would be right for each other and letting the Lord use her, made a match!

For many years, Darryl was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. After marrying Meredith, he, an Episcopalian, and Meredith, a Baptist, prayed and visited to find a church with good preaching, Episcopalian organization, Baptist spirit and sacred music. After a year-long search, Darryl joined Fort Foote Baptist Church and Meredith followed. He was baptized in 2008.

Darryl transitioned one week before the couple would have celebrated their eighteenth anniversary.

Darryl had a quiet, gentle spirit, but was a very grounded man, spiritually and personally. Meredith says that during their eighteen years together Darryl "helped her to become more like the woman the Lord wanted her to be."

Darryl and Meredith grew individually and together in their church life with Fort Foote Baptist Church, where Darryl served on the Finance Committee and sang in the Men's Choir. He particularly enjoyed serving and fellowshipping with the Men's Ministry at FFBC.

The couple enjoyed traveling, especially for jazz concerts and festivals. Darryl's love of music was evident in his vast record collection, which would rival any radio station's trove. He enjoyed all types of music, but especially classical and jazz. Darryl also loved growing house plants and had plants the size of Audrey Jr. in "Little Shop"! Record stores and plant shops were among his favorite places to visit.

Darryl, through the aid of the Holy Spirit and many healthcare providers, fought a several-months long battle with multiple life-threatening illnesses. During that time, he did not complain but rested peacefully with a pleasant disposition. He fought hard, had good medical care and also a Great God, who gave Darryl and Meredith several additional months together throughout his illness and hospitalizations.

On Monday, September 25, 2023, Darryl went home to be with the Lord.

In addition to Meredith, Darryl also is survived by his sister, Karen Barard of Atlanta, GA, and her husband, Gary; their children Garyk (Hussnia), Bryce, and Ambria; as well as nieces Marie Camp and Robbin Foster of Gaffney, South Carolina; great-nieces and great-nephews Jalen and Jaxon Barard, Theodore Marshall, Jr., and Logan Jackson of Atlanta; and Georgio, Shataya, Tayshaun, and Elijah Camp of Gaffney, S.C.

Darryl's transition will leave a void for his family and friends; but they know and accept that God, in His infinite and sovereign wisdom, knows and does what is best for His children. Darryl Harrison now rests in peace with our Heavenly Father, suffering no more.

Viewing, 10:00 a.m. until time of Service, 11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 5, 2023, at Fort Foote Baptist Church, 8310 Fort Foote Road, Fort Washington, Maryland 20744.