Darrell Keith Randolph

Darrell Keith Randolph was born on Mother's Day, May 12, 1957. Just like his brother Gordon was a year and a day earlier. He was the second child born to the union of Barbara Christine Hill and Gordon Samuel Randolph. Darrell being taught about the Lord by his great aunt Mattie, who was an evangelist, accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. He was baptized at First Baptist Church of Ecorse under the Leadership of the Late Rev. E.M. Brown, a powerful preaching machine. He was greatly encouraged in the Lord and answered his call to preach in the late 1970s. He was ordained the same day as his brother in the ministry Pastor Alvin Ballinger. He later went on to be Assistant Pastor of Greater Ship of Zion under the Late Rev. Clemons. Yet he prided himself on being a son in the ministry to Rev. Leslie Beard, Rev. Joseph Barlow, and Rev. Dr. Randolph Thomas. In his later years he labored in ministry At New Mt. Hermon MBC under his brother and friend Rev. Dr. Alex R Hill. But he will always be remembered as The Pastor in the Hole, because as Pastor for Crusaders for Christ Ministries he pastored the community right in the streets, attended to needs, and preached everyone's funeral.
Darrell was a highly intelligent man. A proud Prospector! He graduated a year early from Southwestern High School in the Class of 1974. He attended Highland Park Community College where he majored in communications and later Wayne State University for Business. But his delight was going to school for ministry because he believed in educated preachers. Darrell also went to Specs Howard, later becoming a great Disc Jockey going by the Name of Cisco Kid.
His biggest education came from being married to his soul mate. On September 6,1977, Darrell married Karla June Mattison and this union of almost 48 years produced: 3 children, 12 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. Darrell would always tell the story of the day he fell in love with Karla. She was across the street on Annabelle doing the hula hoop and he told his mother he was going to marry her. And she turned to him and said "I'm going to help you get her". We will never know exactly how he did it but he got her and kept her! Some of his last words were that he "could not have asked for a better wife "and that he "didn't mind going to heaven but he did mind leaving Karla".
Cisco was a great family man even establishing great bonds with his in-laws and extended family. He was always making people a part of his family; he never met a stranger. He was everyone's Uncle Darrell or Coach Randolph. He would always feed you; he was never quiet. He was hilarious and had the gift of gab. He was notorious for waiting until you were about to leave before tasking you with ten errands. He will be remembered as a big personality full of charisma and for his catch phrases: "Gots to be more careful" when he hurt himself, "ya-ka-sah" when he wanted you to lose. "And if anybody see's.Tell them I love them "when he was right in your face! He knew how to love and to make a person feel special. He will be remembered for his great hospitality.
Randy will always be remembered as a Rollercade Legendary skater. He won so many competitions growing up, he had no place for all the trophies. Leesa Folks was his favorite skating partner and together they were unstoppable. He always said he was the greatest champion out of the Rollercade whose last name wasn't Folks.
Darrell was always a businessman and got his start at Oliver's Fish & Poultry. The Store was owned and operated by his grandmother, Udean Oliver-Robinson, whom he called both mama and Nana. She had a major hand in raising him and taught him how to be independent and self sufficient. His first business was raising chickens to sale. He was a smart-worker and by the time he was 17, he was running the store. He always credited his business acumen to the time he spent cleaning fish. And would laugh about being teased about it and say "but I had a bankroll."
Darrell tried his hand at many jobs and businesses through the years. He was a singing group manager, bbq stand owner, and just knew how to hustle. He was a part of the Bloods, and his entertainment group put on events Such as the first "Chocolate City". As Cisco Kid he was Host and MC for many events and parties. He had a radio show on 1440 AM called "the Gospel Train", A mission ministry and he never charged for preaching because he believed no one had enough to pay for the gospel. He drove cab number 2-5 for rocket cab. He drove limousines for Metro Car. He was valet and private chef to Lois Hearns of Hearns Entertainment. And man could he cook and BBQ! And his Chili was epic! He was head of room service for the Anthenum Hotel & Fishbones. Later he became a food and beverage director for Marriot. But his proudest endeavor was being a skilled tradesman and Carpenter (Just like Jesus was, he would say) and Starting Toprail Construction LLC, where he specialized in roof, fences, decks, patios, and drywall. This is how he provided for his family for over 20 years, and he never looked back.
When he became a grandfather, he became a sports coach and professional fundraiser. He was the funniest coach ever, his kids loved him and they won a lot of championships. He was serious about the Running Rebels, The Kemeny Center League, and all the children in the Tri-City area. The last project he was working on was establishing a scholarship for college students to buy books each semester.
Darrell wasn't perfect but he was never ashamed to share his testimony about how God brought him out and changed him. That's what you would find him doing while preaching funerals, giving away food on Thanksgiving with the UAW, visiting Seniors, doing errands for people on the shut in list, seeing about the bereaved. He was also a peace maker in the neighborhood when cooler heads could not prevail.
Darrell was preceded in death by his Nana and parents, his brothers Gordon, Gary, Jean and Yul, his sisters Terry, Marsha, Leah, and Tracy. His first-born son Darrell and his favorite daughter in law Kishua, nephew Desean (Soda), God-Father Joe Crane also preceded him in death.
Darrell leaves to Cherish his memory his devoted wife Karla, his favorite daughter Kara (Howard), his youngest son Paris, His grandsons Darius, Darryl, Christian, Jordan, Elijah, and Karson. His granddaughters Jasmine, Simone, Dana Karla, Trinity, Damaya, Madsion. Six great grands. His brothers Michael, Stephen, Gordon Russell (Colby), Curtis (Katherine), Steven (De'lisa), Clifton (Lydia), Purvis (Terri), Daniel, John (Lovetta). His Sisters Gina, Bridgette (Greg), Barbara Jean, Angelique (Huie), Timne, C. Kimberly, Cichelle, and Tomeka. His Uncles Lee Coy Hill (Ernestine), Johnnie Hill, Darryl Hill, Michael Hill, Gregory (Katrina) and Orlando Richardson (Cynthia), Aunts Annie Jean, Wanda Faye (Henry), Valerie Williams (Johnnie) and Lorraine Lewis. Special Sister Nicole Davis (Kenneth), God-Mother Lois Hearns, God daughters Brandy and Brittney. And a host of relatives, friends, and church family.
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