Darryl Andrew Powell

On the evening of Saturday, December 27, 2025, Darryl Andrew Powell, 60, transitioned peacefully.

Mr. Powell was born on November 16, 1965, in Portsmouth, Virginia, at Maryview Hospital to the late Diane Elizabeth Jackson. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, India Settles and Linda Miller, and two brothers, Johnnie Powell Jr., and Kenneth Powell. Darryl was proud of his legacy, his children, Darquitta, Lil Vanessa, and Roddrick. Nothing made him more joyous than spending time with his grandchildren, Javeona, Shiquan, Jeriona, Shimond, Jaiona, Shiron, Jontasia, Demonie, Aurora, Kaiden, and Kameron. He vowed to become a better grandparent than he had been as a young father. Darryl loved their shared times together until his health and wellness waned. In the community, he was known for his lackadaisical disposition, but he never met a challenge that he did not accept. As one of seven children, Darryl was known for his affinity for sports, a small circle of friends, tv, fashion, culinary arts, and service. When he was well, helping and taking care of others were top of mind. As his health failed, he was motivated to work in occupations that supported the infirmed because he was often in need of caregivers. He would often say, I know what it is like in restaurants, hospitals, dialysis clinics, and transportation when you must depend on others. Why not me?

Darryl married Dr. Suprenia Wade-Powell in 2005. They met as fourth and fifth-graders in the Norfolk Public Schools system. He leaves to cherish his memory, his stepfather, Robert Mitchell, his daughters, Darquitta Martin and Vanessa Martin of Norfolk, VA, and his son, Roddrick Hood (Chantelle) of Virginia Beach, VA, two siblings, Deborah Tyndall of Fayetteville, NC and Curtis Powell (Lenora), of Virginia Beach, VA, and a host of extended family members, friends, and faith-family.

In Darryls formative years, he completed his secondary education at Granby High School, Norfolk, Virginia, where he was affectionately called Gus by some and Fat Cat by others. He was an athlete. Baseball, basketball, and football were his first loves. He loved to exchange jokes, play cards (a family ritual), cook, clean, and dress to the nines! He was serious about his athletic shoe wardrobe and the coordinating gear. The haircut had to be razor sharp, and the whip had to be spotless. As a culinary apprentice, Darryl trained in countless restaurants under the tutelage of sous chefs. Though he enjoyed pasta, rice dishes, and tender steaks most, his love was evident through meticulous preparation and serving others.

At work and at church, Darryl developed a work family, and his leaders noted his tenacity to get in early and stay late, even with his health challenges. At church, he proudly served on the safety team, attended the Brothers Round Table, and faithfully participated in other ministries to give and to receive from faith-inspired friends and mentors. The Brothers of Faith were surrogate brothers, uncles, and fathers that he appreciated immensely.

Darryl loved to be with his family, and he could not wait until the next opportunity to have family dinners. Many described Darryl as big, but gentle, kind, yet cautious. He was intuitive and had a natural talent to discern the authenticity of people. He would let you know up front if you were good people. As his mothers first birth, she was truly his first love. Together, they loved, joked, played, laughed, praised, and danced, as if it were the last opportunity!

Mr. Powell would often say that he was lucky that Prenia fell in love with him when we were kids. His loving wife often said, Darryl has a heart as big as this room. It is his legacy of love!
Viewing: Thursday, January 8, 2026 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM Metropolitan Funeral Service 7246 Granby Street Norfolk, VA Celebration of Life: COME IN PERSON OR WATCH ONLINE Friday, January 9, 2026 11:00 AM Metropolitan Funeral Service 7246 Granby Street Norfolk, VA