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CHRISTIAN BREAKING NEWS: Rev. Joseph Darby: Community Mourns Beloved Pastor, Civil Rights Icon & AME Church Leader Passes at 74 [#JosephDarby]

Rev. Joseph Darby: A civil rights champion, AME Church leader, and beloved pastor who dedicated his life to justice, faith, and community service.

Hi everyone,

The community is grieving the loss of Rev. Joseph Darby, a beloved pastor, civil rights leader, and cornerstone of the AME Church.

Rev. Darby was known for his decades of service, advocacy for justice, and unwavering faith.

He touched countless lives through his ministry and activism.

Please share your memories or messages of condolence in the Comments section.

QUESTION: What’s your favorite memory, story, or lesson from Rev. Darby’s life? Share it in the Comments section so that we can all honor his legacy together.

https://www.facebook.com/RaphaelJamesLive5News/posts/1339916794161490
Source: Raphael James Live 5 News Facebook Account, @RaphaelJamesLive5News

It is with a sad heart that I inform you that the Rev. Joseph Darby has passed on to the ancestors. He was a champion for civil rights and justice and will be missed by many. To Jason and Jeremy our hearts are with you and your families. 🙏🏾
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With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved father, the Reverend Joseph Anthom Darby Jr., who left us peacefully last night, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, a day after his 74th birthday.
A dedicated servant of God, he was a respected pastor to many African Methodist Episcopal Churches for the past 48 years, including Piney Grove AME (Gaston, SC), Pleasant Spring AME (Columbia, SC), Pine Grove AME (Columbia, SC), St. Philip AME (Eastover, SC), Morris Brown AME (Charleston, SC), presiding elder of the Beaufort District of the AME Church and his most recent service as pastor of Nichols Chapel AME (Charleston, SC).
Dad’s ministry was not confined to the pulpit. He carried it into every room he entered, every cause he championed, and every life he touched. His sermons stirred hearts and souls, but his actions stirred change. He taught us that faith without works is hollow, and that love (especially for the marginalized) is the highest calling.
To us, he was simply “Dad.” And to his grandchildren Jax, Zora, Naomi and Julius, he was their beloved “Papa Joe.” As sons, we were shaped by his integrity, his humor, and his fierce commitment to doing what was right, even when it was hard. He challenged us to think critically, to speak boldly, and to serve humbly. His legacy lives in our choices, our convictions and the families we raise.
To our extended family and the congregations he served, we share your grief and your gratitude. You were his joy, his mission, and his extended family. He prayed for you, fought for you, and celebrated you. We thank you for loving him in return. As a leader, he wasn’t just a figurehead but also a guide, a mentor, and a friend to so many. His wisdom and kindness touched countless lives, and his legacy will continue to inspire all of us who were blessed to be part of his journey. We take comfort in knowing that his life’s work will continue through the seeds he planted in the hearts of those he served and loved. We also find peace in the knowledge that he is now resting with his wife, our mother Mary Bright Darby.
Our father was a 15-year colorectal cancer survivor, and we encourage those with a family history or symptoms to seek screening.
Though our hearts are heavy, we find solace in knowing that his life was well-lived and his impact will continue to resonate. We are grateful for the outpouring of love, support and memories you have already shared during this difficult time.
A celebration of his life will be announced soon, as we honor the legacy of a man who gave so much to the world and to us. We love you, Papa Joe, and we will carry your memory in our hearts forever.
Jason and Jeremy Darby

Rev Joseph Darby: Community Mourns Beloved Pastor, Civil Rights Icon, AME Church Leader Passes at 74 | Christian Breaking News!