Darryl Owens

Darryl "Moe" Owens Obituary

Darryl Owens was born on January 17, 1960 in Cincinnati, Ohio to the late Barbara Lee Owens and Harry Donald Johnson. On June 18, 2021 God came and took his Devine Creation known as Darryl Moe from his earthly vessel.

Darryl was preceded in death by his grandparents, Sarah B. Chambers, Goldie Davis Hill, James Alec and Effie Foster, Paul and Jessie Owens; stepfather, Donnell Owens; brother, Donnell Owens, Jr.; niece, Chinita L Anderson; and nephew, Shantez L. Blunt; aunts, Mae Francis Berry,JoAnn Ivory, Francis Simms, Pauline Owens, Doris Johnson, and Theresa Rhodes; uncles, William Chambers, Melvin Hill, Michael Hill,Wardell Hill, Sr. and Coffee Owens.

He was the youngest of four children. Darryl and his siblings grew up in the Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church where they were involved in many church activities. Darryl lived with his family lived in the West End and Avondale. He attended Washburn Elementary School, Samuel Ach and Jennie D. Porter Junior High Schools. Darryl graduated from Withrow High School. He played tennis at Withrow where he was known for being an awesome and passionate tennis player. 

During one summer season Darryl enrolled in Central State University's (CSU) Upward Bound Program. This was his first exposure to college-campus life. And he liked it. Once Darryl graduated from high school he attended CSU where he studied Radio and Media Technology. 

Darryl had no children of his own, yet he mentored many, while working as a Life Guard for the Cincinnati Recreation Commission and working at the Boys Club now known as the Boys and Girls Club. Hebegan working for the Pepsi Cola Company until he suffered a back injury while on the job. He sometimes helped out a close friend, Gary Brown.

Darryl was Sis’s driving partner. He rode and drove with her taking Chinita and Eugene to college on the east coast. They made trips to Sarah Lawrence College and New York City with Chinita. Eugene had them driving to Temple University in Philadelphia PA and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville VA. They frequently drove to Washington DC and New Jersey once Chinita and Eugene graduated from college.

Darryl would travel with his family to San Francisco, Chicago, Gatlinburg, Spartanburg, Philadelphia, NYC, Washington DC, North Carolina, Las Vegas (he loved him some Vegas) and Honolulu, Hawaii. He enjoyed travelling and seeing new places, faces, cultures and adventures. Darryl was always travelling up and down the road to celebrate milestones with his niece, nephew, great-niece, great-nephew, cousins, and family. Then like the Jeffersons we moved on up and began flying. Darryl was on a different level when he was flying. Wherever he went, Darryl was always helping others clean the kitchen, take out the garbage or clean bathrooms; he never hesitated to get busy.

Darryl had a big heart and would help anyone he could. God looks at what's done from the heart. Darryl loved music, especially Frankie Beverly and Maze, and yes it was his sister Michelle who introduced him to the music of Maze.  I heard him say many times, that he has two of the best sisters in the world, and I agree with him.  Chinita, Shantez and Eugene gave him the title of Uncle, which he loved; he loved and supported them in all of their endeavors. Zora was born and she gave him the title of Great Uncle, and a few years later Asa (AJ) was born and he made him twice as great. Darryl loved celebrating them both and he was proud of how Eugene and Gasa are raising them.

He lives to Cherish his memories: sisters, Sarah Omita (Wendell) Anderson, Michelle Owens, Candy Owens, Anita and Tina Brooks; brothers, Louis Owens, Anthony Owens, Darryl (Eileen) Brooks, and Nathaniel Hughes; nephew, Eugene L. (Gasa) Anderson, PhD. of Silver Spring MD; great-niece, Zora J. Anderson; great-nephew, Asa J. Anderson; aunts Carol Burns and Connie Cunningham; uncle, Robert Hill; close cousins: Linda Miles, Joyer Tiller and Susan Ben of Philadelphia PA, Karen Smith Hicks of Sicklerville NJ, Ronald Smith of Wilmington DE,  Annie Foster and Freddie Foster of Spartanburg SC, Kenneth Chambers, and Victor Allen; God-sisters, Jan Muhammad and Beverly Carter of Dallas TX; Lilisa (Andrew) Williams of Hillside NJ, Holly A. Kelly of Fort Washington MD, Hope (Tony) Harper; God-brother, Eric Robinson; special friend, Carmen Mumphrey and a host of family and friends. 

Who was Moe?

Moe was a wonderful Son

Moe was a beautiful brother 

Moe was a best friend to many

Moe was a beloved Uncle and Great-Uncle 

Moe was laughter and the comedian 

Moe brought the fun with him to any gathering 

Moe was always a helping hand

Moe was an awesome tennis player, when our people had very little interest in the game

Moe loved, music, dance and people 

Moe was a leader

Moe loved to travel and see the world. Moe was up at 5am while in Hawaii watching the Sun come up, yet it was hard to get Moe up early, while at home

Moe was blessed with 61 years on earth to be a blessing to others 

Moe loved his family 

Looking at all of you here today, speaks volumes that Moe was loved by many

God is Love, Moe was loved by the best, and he'll be in our hearts forever.

We love and miss you Moe by Michelle Owens July 2021

So many people were like family to Darryl this list include some but in no way everyone: Ann Brundidge, Ann Youngblood, Kelton Brundidge of Troy AL, Pamela and Lafayette Blassingame, Rosa Willis, LaShawn Willis, Sandra Coleman, Lee Willis of Las Vegas NV, Jason and Damon Briers, Brian Hill, Alphonso Phillips, Greg Maull, Elliott Quarles, Roger Dumas, Dupree Phillips, Percy Conley, Larry Bell, Virgil Starr, Charlie Robb, Arecia Graham, Jocelyn Scott, Joyce Johnson, Al Hawkins, Edna Williams, Stacey Jackson, Paul Jackson, Holly Sneed, Wayne Sneed, Kevin Scott, James (JB the Music Man) Bean, Melinda Hill (CSU), Tony Overstreet, Asa and Vera Grimes, Gary and Melvenia Brown, David Watkins and The Central State University Brotherhood of Players Inc.

Final Resting Place

Darryl’s ashes will be buried at his mother, Barbara Lee Owens’ gravesite at Walnut Hills Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio.

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