Darnell Ernest Washington, known by some as Big D, was born July 4,1954 to Ernest and Christine Washington in Appomattox, Virginia. The sun set February 21, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan.

Darnell was exceptionally smart and graduated from high school at age 16. He was an avid reader. He went to St. Paul's College, Lawrenceville, Virginia, where he received his B.S. in Elementary Education, 1975. There, he became a member of the prestigious fraternity, the crimson and creme, Kappa Alpha Psi, 1974.

He started his teaching career in Virginia but later moved to Detroit, Michigan to become one of the best Middle School Math teachers in the Detroit Public School System. Darnell received his Master's Degree in Education Administration from Michigan State University, 1982, but never pursued an administration position because he felt he could serve the children better by staying in the classroom where they were.

Darnell accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Pamplin, Virginia. He attended Sunday school and was a member of the choir and usher board. When he moved to Detroit, he attended several churches before joining Wayside Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor D. N. Ford and later joining Zion Progress Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Allyson Abrams where he was a deacon in training. Darnell later moved to California and fellowshipped at Ward AME. Darnell was a loyal and loving family member. He always wanted to be at the party. Not long after being at the party, he was going to ask for a deck of cards, so he could beat everyone in Bid Whist. Darnell’s true gift was a charmer of the ladies and a respected brother to the men. Darnell leaves cherished memories to his daughter, Danielle Dandridge, and son, Christopher Washington, mother of his children, Arttress Askew; Detroit; sisters, Lucy LaVern Robinson (Leon), Evergreen; Marilyn Washington-Sanford, Detroit; Pearl Washington-Ferguson, North Carolina; brother/cousin Rayner Goode, Prospect, sister/cousins . Jacqueline Bussey and Bernice Walker, Detroit, grandsons, Devin and Desmond Dandridge, Detroit; special aunt, Virginia Goode, Aunts Ealdon Saunders, Dorothy Jones (Samuel), Carolyn Washington, all from Prospect, daughter/niece Jocelyn Bussey nieces, Ebony, Candace, Kasha, Christina, Ethelynn, Kendra, nephews Shermaine and Jamel, special cousin, John Walker, Prospect, and a host cousins, and friends. Special thanks to Renee White and the Emmanuel House Crew.