Renowned SC Civil rights activist Joseph Darby Jr. passes away at 74

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Reverend and civil rights activist Joseph Darby Jr. passed away Friday night at 74, a day after his birthday.

“Though our hearts are heavy, we find solace in knowing that his life was well-lived and his impact will continue to resonate,” said Rev. Darby’s son, Jason, in a post on Facebook. “We are grateful for the outpouring of love,” support, and memories you have already shared during this difficult time.

Darby was a leader in civil rights in the state, being the First Vice-President of the Charleston Branch of the NAACP and former First Vice President of the South Carolina NAACP.

A Columbia native who was raised in the Wheeler Hill community, Rev. Darby attended South Carolina State University and received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina.

He was also an inaugural class of 2004 inductee into the Richland School District One Hall of Fame.

Rev. Darby was a staunch advocate for education, becoming a member of multiple organizations across the state. Darby was a member of the State Superintendent of Education’s African-American Achievement Committee, the Racial/Cultural Advisory Council of the South Carolina School Boards Association, and the Board of Directors of the Daniel J. Jenkins Institute for Children.

Rev. Darby was the Pastor of Morris Brown AME Church located in Charleston, the largest congregation in the Seventh Episcopal District of the AME Church. Rev.

Darby served the AME Church in multiple roles, including Chairman of the Episcopal District Board of Trustees, Coordinator of the Seventh Episcopal District Sons of Allen Men’s Fellowship, and Registrar for the Palmetto Annual Conference Board of Ministerial Training.

Rev. Darby Reverend Darby was also Chairman of the Charleston P.A.S.T.O.R.S. Housing Initiative and of the South Carolina Coalition of Black Church Leaders.

The reverend received several honors during his lifetime, including a Top Achiever Award in the 1993 South Carolina Black Male Showcase, South Carolina Business Vision magazine’s 1997 South Carolina’s 25 Most Influential African Americans Award, and the 1999 NAACP Southeast Region Medgar W. Evers Leadership Award.

In 2002, Rev. Darby was inducted into the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame.

“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,” Jason Darby said. “We also find peace in the knowledge that he is now resting with his wife, our mother Mary Bright Darby.”

Rev. Darby is survived by his two sons, Jason and Jeremy, and several grandchildren.

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