Darnell Deas, Jr. was born in Jacksonville, Florida at the Naval Hospital Jacksonville to Darnell and Cheryl Deas. Darnell confessed Christ at the age of thirteen. He was a member of The Bethel Baptist Institutional Church, where he was a member of the One Way Youth Group. During the family’s military travels, Darnell actively enrolled in youth ministries at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Higher Praise Christian Fellowship and Light of the World Kingdom Ministries. Darnell attended Fleming Island High School where he participated on the varsity football and track team. He was selected for admission to the prestigious private college preparatory The Bolles School of Jacksonville, Florida for the upcoming 2018-2019 school year. Darnell was a member of Mu Alpha Theta, International Thespian Society and National Society of High School Scholars. Darnell, who was called “D. J.”, had an infectious smile, never met a stranger and was always willing to lend a helping hand; most of all, he was a child of God. Darnell is preceded in death by his grandfathers, Edward Levell Deas and Louis Crawford, Jr. His memory will forever linger in the hearts of his love ones. He leaves to mourn his passing, his parents, Darnell and Cheryl Deas; sisters, Amiyah Deas, Maliyah Deas & MacKenzie Deas of Jacksonville, Florida; paternal grandmother, Genevia (Daron) Parker of Pascagoula, Mississippi; maternal grandmother, Sherrel Crawford of Gulfport, Mississippi; great grandmother, Jimmie L. Crawford of Gulfport, Mississippi; uncles & aunts, Marcus Bilbo of Dallas, Texas, Lavell Bilbo of Pascagoula, Mississippi, Edward (Demetrias) Deas of Acworth, Georgia, Melissa (Anthony) Forrest of Pascagoula, Mississippi, Louis (Chiquania) Crawford III of Gulfport, Mississippi, Elizabeth (Larry) Simmons of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, extended family and friends. Family and friends will gather to celebrate the life of Darnell Deas 11:00 A.M. Thursday, June 21, 2018, at Bethel Baptist Institutional Church, Bishop Rudolph W. McKissick, Jr, Senior Pastor; Bishop Rudolph W. McKissick, Sr., Pastor Emeritus. Visitation WEDNESDAY at The Soutel Chapel, from 5 – 7:00 PM. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery, Gulfport, Mississippi.