Mr. Darryl Lawrence Curtis Sr.

Darryl Lawrence Curtis, born on October 24, 1966, in Mobile, Alabama to the union of Maurice Curtis, who preceded him in death and Willie Mae Curtis. Darryl transitioned into the Sunset on June 10, 2025, in Columbia, Maryland.

As a child, Darryl grew up in New York where he lived in a loving home enjoying the happiness and company of his parents and 12 siblings. Darryl was child number 10, as he was often called by his late Uncle Charles. He had a close relationship with his parents, his mother used to say he was her quiet child. He had many good times playing with the siblings closest to him in age while his older siblings watched over the younger ones. Darryl spent some of his time making music and singing in the backyard with their pretend family band. Darryl and his siblings spent hours enjoying each other's company, laughing and joking on each other. They even gave him a funny family nickname, Daffy Duck, making fun of his lips. Darryl relished his childhood memories; they always brought a smile to his face.

As a teenager, his parents moved the family to Baltimore for a short time. When they returned to New York, Darryl stayed behind and earned his diploma at Northwestern High School. It was in high school where his love for basketball flourished. After graduating high school in 1985, Darryl attended Morgan State University on a basketball scholarship. He enjoyed playing college basketball and hanging out with his teammates, three of which would become his off campus roommates. It was during his college years that he earned a new nickname, “Sheik”, given to him for his 6’5” stature and high cheek bones. Darryl would go on to earn his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting.

During Darryl’s last years of college, his roommate introduced him to his first wife Raymarlyn. After being married in 1996, the twins were born in 1998. They were both excited to welcome Darryl Jr. and Raven into the world. He was very excited to be a father and took great care of the two of them. He loved giving them bubble baths, fixing them pancakes, and playing with them on their swing set. After their marriage ended, Darryl Sr. continued to play a major role in Darryl Jr and Raven’s lives. The twins always loved spending time with their dad and were there by his side to comfort him as he was succumbing to his illness.

When Darryl Sr. was not working as a medical coder, he enjoyed traveling, sports, playing video games and watching the Marvel movies. Even as an adult, Darryl was very quiet and reserved. 

Darryl Sr. would then remarry Barbara Dennis. They enjoyed many years together, frequently traveling to their favorite places in the Caribbean and Mexico. They attended the First Baptist Church of Guilford and loved to host family events at their home. Sadly, Barbara died in his arms last year shortly after returning home from a vacation in Jamaica celebrating her birthday. 

Darryl Sr. would soon suffer more devastating news; he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. As he shared the news of his illness with his children and his siblings, he was accepting of his fate and never complained, not even at the very end. Darryl Sr. said “I had a great life and I have two great children. I don’t want to leave the earth this soon, but if God has designed this as my fate, I will not complain.” When Raven learned of her father’s illness, she put her life on hold and made the decision to be by his side. She helped him with any and everything he needed, even moving in with him to continue caring for him as his illness progressed. Darryl Jr., while living in Las Vegas, called his dad frequently, making sure to come home and spend the holidays with him. His siblings were a great source of support to him as well. They were always calling to check on him and ask how he was doing. His sister Denise would come over and tidy up his home between her overnight flight layovers and his brother Dennis would come from NY to spend time with him and cut his grass. Knowing the graveness of his illness, Darryl reached out to his ex-wife, Raymarlyn and asked if she would help with things he needed done. Raven and several family members were there hours before he transitioned. Darryl was loved by all and to many, a favorite sibling. Darryl Jr. was there to hold his hand and pray over him as he took his last breath.

Darryl’s journey here on earth had come to an end, a journey that ended much too soon. Wrapped in the arms of his Lord’s comfort, Darryl is now Resting in Paradise.

Darryl Sr. leaves to mourn his twins, Darryl Jr. and Raven Curtis; his mother, Willie Mae Curtis; ten siblings, Geraldine Brown, Ernestine Curtis, Francine Curtis, Maurice Curtis Jr. (Pat), Myra Curtis (Mike), Carol Sookbirsingh (Jerry), Wesley Curtis, Denise Curtis Whitner (Horace), Dennis Curtis, and Eric Curtis; Two siblings preceded him in death, Stanley Denham and Sharon Plowden; friend, Raymarlyn; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.