Darren Ray Isbell

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Darren Ray Isbell, August 26, 2025, in Asheville, NC. Darren was born June 25, 1958 in Ft. Worth, TX, to Marjorie Baker and Jean Paul Isbell. He graduated from Haltom High School, in Haltom City, TX in 1976, and graduated from Steven F. Austin 1980. He received his master's degree from TWU and UNT, in 19992. He was a member of Haltom City Rifle and Pistol Club. He was married to Gayle Cave from 1980 until her death in 2007. He married his beloved wife, Karen Lynn Sandefur Isbell, January 6, 2008. Darren fell in love with the mountains and moved from Texas to Barnardsville, NC in 2005. He had many hobbies including hiking, fishing, and gardening. Darren was an educator and worked as a Director of IT at Eagle Mt. Saginaw ISD. He also taught at AB-Tech in Asheville, NC. He was a member of Brookstone Church in Weaverville, NC, where he served on the security team. Darren lived a life dedicated to his Lord Jesus Christ. He is survived by his father, Jean Paul Isbell; wife, Karen Sandefur Isbell; sister, Janice Milligan (Carl); step-daughter, Ashley Tipton; step-son, Rob Tipton; brother-in-law, Malcolm Junge; brother-in-law, Marty Sandefur (Sharon); sister-in-law, Glenda Sandefur Ford (Gary); cousins, Melicia McFadden (Lewis), Kathy Zwetzig, and Tony Boatman; nephew, Brandon Junge (Diane); niece, Jennifer Davis (Bo); great nieces, Faith and Ella Junge, Selah and Dana-Joy Davis; and great nephews, Noah, Eli, and Malachi Davis. A funeral service will be held at 6:30pm Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Brookstone Church, 90 Griffee Road, Weaverville, NC. Reverends Jim Dykes and Ken Roberts will officiate. The family will receive friends at the church Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 5-6:30pm. The burial will be held at 1pm Friday, September 5, 2025, at Hamblen Memory Gardens, 5421 E Andrew Johnson Hwy, Russellville, TN 37860. Ty and Marty Sandefur, Tim Plotts, Charles McCurry, Weston Burgess, and Kevin Boone will serve as pallbearers. For those who choose to watch the funeral service live online, please visit brookstonechurch.org and select the "watch live" tab. Flowers are appreciated, or donations may be made in Darren's memory to Four Seasons Hospice, fourseasonsfdn.org, or Care Partners Hospice Solace Center, 21 Belvedere Road, Asheville, NC 28803. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org