Obituary of Willa Mae Darby

Willa Mae Skipper was born on November 5, 1946 in Lake City, South Carolina to Mary Elizabeth Skipper and Weldon Skipper. Will was the youngest of 5 children. Donald (oldest) followed by Mary Elizabeth, Peter James, Dorothy Mae and Harry. Willa Mae graduated from Carver High School in 1964. She married Joshua Darby on May 8, 1965. Out of this matrimonial union were born three sons; Darrin Dennis (oldest), Patrick Dwayne and Joshua Jonathan. Willa Mae and her husband Joshua moved to New York in 1965, settling in Brooklyn, NY. It was there that Willa Mae began her career as an Office Associate for the Manhattan District Attorney, Robert M. Morgenthauin in 1979. Willa continued her employment with the Manhattan D.A. until she retired in November 2001. She and her husband Joshua relocated to the Catskills in upstate New York following her retirement. Willa continued to work part-time locally for a couple of years after retiring from the City of New York. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren on many weekends and holidays throughout the year. Willa Mae leaves to mourn her passing her husband of 53 years, Joshua, who was also her caregiver and was right by her side all along and until the end. Her three sons Darrin Dennis (Verna), Patrick Dwayne (Erika) and Joshua Jonathan (Charlene Cabrera); her brothers Donald and Harry and one sister Dorothy Mae; nine grandchildren: Michael Darrin, Darrin Charles, Sharasia Monique, Danielle Elizabeth, Dominique April, Patrick Dwayne Jr., Joshua, Jonathan and Gianna-Mae; four great-grandchildren Mackenzie Parker, Kaden Michael, Divino Deon and Phoenix Chevon; as well as long family friends who were like family, Cheryl Moulterie (mother of Michael Darrin and Desiree Hollins {mother of Sharasia}) and a large, large host of family and friends. Willa Mae was predeceased by her father, Weldon, her mother Mary Elizabeth, her brother Peter James and her sister Mary Elizabeth. At this time the family would like to thank the staff at Orange Regional and Catskill Regional Hospital for all of their care and help during this trying time. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 7th from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm at Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 State Route 52, Woodbourne, NY 12788. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 8th at 11am at the funeral home. Arrangements under the care of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, for further information call 845-434-7363 or visit www.colonialbryantfuneralhome.com