Derrick Farrell

Derrick was born to Delores Farrell and Matthew Saunders on September 1, 1965. Derrick, affectionately known as “D” and “Farrell” was educated in the Philadelphia School System and later on in life he attended school for electronics. Derrick loved his mother, and would stay under his mother and late grandmother “Mommy” Louise. Derrick was very quiet and shy as an adolescent. He was an excellent student.

Derrick grew up working with his father. He loved working with his hands; building and fixing things. Such passion led him to start multiple businesses of his own “Just Rite Electric, Inc” and “E&D Property Service, LLC”. He was contractor, electrician and all-around hands-on person. His love for people intertwined him with his work. Many times, he would employ men who couldn’t find work, helping them to get back into their work-world and having a means of supporting themselves and their families.

Derrick believed that “the only time you should look down on another person, is when you are bending down to lend a helping hand up”. Throughout his lifetime, he enjoyed traveling, classic cars and trucks, but most of all his children flooded his heart with love. The love of a father for his children, cannot be destroyed even by death. Derrick was a people person but had a close knit relationship with his family particularly with his siblings. Derrick was the middle child of 5, coming from a humorous family, Derrick and his siblings would joke around at every family function. Their childhood started his first social group.He was the person in his family with all the resources; although he would procrastinate, he would always come through.

Derrick loved Jazz music. His favorite artist was Gil Scott Heron. Derrick patterned his life after Uncle James. Everything Uncle James did, Derrick wanted to do.

Derrick was previously married to Noretta and Candace, from this union bore: Derrick Jr, Hailey.

Derrick met the love of his life Ebony in 2009. Derrick called Ebony “Babe”. Derrick courted Ebony for six years and in August 2015, they were married. Derrick and Ebony spent nine years together full of love and laughter. Ebony’s love for Derrick helped to pull him out of his shell and helped him not take life so seriously. It was important for Derrick and Ebony to keep the relationship between Derrick’s previous children and their current children: Aaden and Aaliyah together.

God’s infinite wisdom is the blueprint for all that occurs on this planet, above it and beneath it. For example, God decided that September 1, 1965 would be the day that Derrick would inhale his very first breath of life in this world, the day of his birth. September is the closing of summer and the prelude to the fall, when everything begins changing and preparing for winter. God also chose October, to be the time, that Derrick’s earthly home would change to that of a celestial home. October is the month the leaves start to change their colors and the breezes from warm to cool.

Derrick has left a life story to be remembered, but more importantly, to be honored.

Derrick was preceded in death by his father: Matthew Saunders, Grandmother Louise Farrell & Cousin Ivan Walton.

Left to cherish his memory: His Wife, Ebony, Children: Derrick Jr, Taqiyya,Laqiyya,Labria,Amber,Jazzmin, Hailey, Devontae ,Aaden and Aaliyah ,Mother: Delores Farrell, Siblings: Denise, Deborah, Daniel and Desiree Grandchildren: Saaliyah, Jawaad, Ethan, Kaaleis,Eli,Chase and Lily. Uncles: James(Addie), Leslie(Mary)and Donald, Aunt Brenda. Special Cousins: Mattie Ray and Kevin “Smiley” Walton. A host of nephews ,nieces, cousins and other relatives and especially friends.