Michael Darby

Michael Darby, of Lake Burton and Clayton, Georgia, joyfully pressed on to and crossed the Finish Line on Friday, July 19, 2024. He, like David of the Old Testament, was a man after God's own heart and spent most of his eighty-six years in direct obedience to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Because he was foremost a child of God, his life as husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, business and ministry leader, and friend drew an astounding degree of love and respect from those around the world who came to know him as Mike, Mikey, Pappy, Daddy or Dad.
Michael was the son of the late James Barrington and Harriet Mason Darby and brother of the late James Barrington Darby, Jr. and the late Mason Darby Brower. The first half of his earthly life was spent mostly in Jacksonville, Florida, where his proudest moments involved the lives of his two birth children Michael Barrington Darby and Brooke Mason Darby Bishop. He also adored his brother-in-law the late Frank Brower, his second wife Karen, and his four Brower nephews: Tripp, Darby, Hamilton and Christopher. That love was later extended to their wives Sheri, Jennifer and Kimberly; then their children Jennings, Darby (Erica), Kendall (Will), Grace, Hamilton, Mason (Claudia), Landon, and the late little Pierce (who, in Heaven with his daddy Tripp, had been awaiting the arrival of their "Uncle Mikey")!
Additionally he valued his close circle of childhood and young adult friends, staying in close touch with them throughout his life. His professional career, including many lasting relationships with his co-workers and clients at Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc. and Shearson Lehman Brothers was also a highlight. Having given his life to Christ during its earlier portion, he was blessed to serve in many local and state leadership roles, i.e. Chairman of the Advisory Council for the State of Florida, and on the Boards of the Jacksonville Rotary Club, Youth for Christ, and Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, all in which he served to God's glory.
The second half of his life brought the additional joy of a forty year marriage to Elizabeth McGavock Darby, with her children Andrew Heath Whittle III and Mary Margaret Whittle Cain, whom he immediately welcomed as his own! Nine grandchildren followed, whom Michael and Elizabeth consider equal gifts and responsibilities from God: William McGavock Cain, Michael Barrington Darby Jr., Benjamin Clyde Bishop IV, Darby Katharine Bishop, John Gaskin Darby, Elijah Luke Cain, Joshua Andrew Cain, Andrew Heath Whittle IV, and Roman Thatcher Whittle. Equally loved with their children are Michael and Elizabeth's children's spouses: Benjamin Bishop III (Brooke), of Ponte Vedra, Florida; Aimee LeBaron Whittle (Heath) of Tiger, Georgia, and Christie Gaskin Darby (Michael) of Paradise Valley, Arizona.
With his marriage to Elizabeth, Michael welcomed even more family into the fold: her dear sister Margaret McGavock Bryan, with her late husband Calvin, their two sons David and Jonathan Welsh, with their wives Jennifer and Diana, then his great nephews and nieces, Tait (Hunter), Connor (Chloe), and Hamilton (Rose). The close mix of all the cousins at the Darbys' lake house was a special blessing to Michael!
Another family of whom Michael will forever be a part is the United States Marine Corps, joining his father and grandfather before him. Perhaps the Corps' "Leave No Man Behind" mantra was what led him into the primary passion of his life's second half, full-time lay ministry. Each man, each woman, whom God brought into his life, whether on this side of the Atlantic or beyond, was another opportunity for him to share God's life-changing gift of love, Jesus Christ!
Perhaps Michael's Corps days also led to his life of discipline in fitness, which he enjoyed through participating in every sport available to him, right up to his recent illness...plus running five marathons, regular sculling on Lake Burton, and working out several times a week with his treasured water aerobic and exercise friends at Waterfall! That's how he was able to still be in his full dress USMC uniform every year at the Rabun County Veterans' Dinner!
Michael remained very active in the Friday morning, open-to-all Men's Bible Study he and a friend started twenty-five years ago. The exponential impact of that leadership role in the lives of the many men in attendance through the years can never be measured, nor can the years he spent mentoring younger men at the Rabun County Middle School. Additionally, he and Elizabeth were discussing how to accomplish yet another visit overseas with their beloved Russian and Bulgarian families, with whom they've lived and worshipped on their many trips overseas...when Michael's Heavenly Father called him Home...according to the days numbered for him, before the foundation of the earth!
A Homegoing Celebration will take place Saturday, August 3, at 11am, at Grace Bible Church in Mountain City, where the Darbys have worshipped over twenty years and Michael was an elder for many of those. Because it is truly a celebration of a saint going Home...please wear joyful attire! There will be an opportunity to visit with the family for an hour beforehand; as well as during the evening before from 7-9, which will be hosted by the ladies of Grace Bible Church.
Following the Celebration service, a luncheon for family and out-of-town guests will be held in the Community Room at 46 Plaza Way, the Covered Bridge Shopping Center, Clayton, hosted by the Men's Bible Study and their wives.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to one of the most impactful evangelistic and discipleship ministries in the world today: The Come and See Foundation, which makes the 7 -season television series The Chosen available to all ages, in 600 languages, free of charge... just like Christ's invitation to each of us, Come and See!
donate@comeandseefoundation.org, a 501(c)(3) organization.
All gifts are fully tax deductible.