Darrell Tyrone Polite Sr.

Darrell Tyrone "Big D" Polite, Sr., 53, of East Palatka, entered eternal rest unexpectedly on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at HCA Florida Putnam Hospital, Palatka. The son of Laurette V. Winters and James R. Polite, Sr., he was a native and lifelong resident of Palatka, born on Sunday, November 14, 1971. Darrell was educated in the Putnam County School District, a proud 1991 graduate of Palatka High School and a two-time State Champion weightlifter. He was a football star as a two-way lineman. In May 1996, Darrell earned a Bachelor's Degree from Tusculum University of Greeneville, TN. Recently, in 2022, Darrell earned a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Phoenix. Darrell was an Ordained Deacon and a very faithful servant of God at Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church. In addition, he served as a Trustee, Audio-Visual technician, member of the Men's Choir, Pastoral Armor-bearer, Security team, Transportation ministry, and the Drama ministry. Deacon Polite joyfully served wherever and whenever he was requested or needed. Darrell was an educator in the Putnam County School District for 26 years providing selfless, meritorious service at James A. Long Elementary School, where he was an Administrative Dean and as a coach at Palatka High School. Over the years, he became affectionately known as "Coach" because of his extremely impactful and effective nurturing to students at school and young people throughout the community. He was a coach in a number of sports, including weightlifting, head coach girls weightlifting, flag football coach, and defensive line coach. He was instrumental in developing athletes on local wrestling and weightlifting teams. Everybody who has played for or been around Coach Polite remembers his famous quote, "If you do it right, you do it light and if you do it wrong, you do it long." On June 14, 2019 Darrell united in holy matrimony to Latice Mashonda Miller. The community was blessed to know Darrell, the CEO, through his mobile food truck service and catering business - Big "D's" BBQ, that was known for delicious BBQ. In addition to cooking, Darrell enjoyed traveling, fishing and being a disc jockey. He was also an avid member of a motorcycle club. Darrell was preceded in eternal rest by his mother, Laurette V. Winters-Pascual; grandmother, Alberta Brewer-Winters; grandfather, Livingston Winters, Sr., goddaughter, Theresa Ann Cooley Precious memories of Darrell remain with his devoted wife, Latice Mashonda Polite; sons, Darrell (Ruby) Tyrone Polite, Jr. and Darius Tyrell Polite; stepson, Jamell Passmore; father and stepmother, James R. (Cassandra) Polite, Sr.; stepfather, Francisco M. "Poncho" Pascual; father-in-love and mother in love, James (D'Arcy) Miller; brother, James Hunter; sister-in-love, Saraya Miller; nephew, Ja'Saun Mosley; a host of aunts and uncles, including, Matilda Winters Toledo, OH; Lisa (Johnnie) Polite, Daytona Beach; great-aunt Queen Ester (Hallbrook) Polite, Palatka; cousin, Emily Winters Harris, Key West; special friends, 207 Burnerz and The 1310 Boys; and a host of other caring relatives, sorrowing friends, colleagues, students, and church family. Visitation will be 3-6 p.m., Saturday, June 7 at Palatka Jr.-Sr. High School, 302 Mellon Road. Celebration of Darrell's Life will be 3 p.m., Sunday, June 8 at Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church, 4909 St. Johns Avenue, Palatka. Darrell's Pastor, Reverend Karl N. Flagg, is the eulogist. Interment will follow in Oak Hill West Cemetery.