Melvin Darby

Arnaudville - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church for Mr. Melvin Bernard 'Joe' Darby, 84, of Arnaudville, who passed away on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette . Father Keenan Brown will officiate at the Funeral Mass. Con-celebrant will be Father Austin Leger. Scriptures will be read by Sarah Stagg and Lacey Darby. Gift Bearers will be Lauren Darby, Julia Anne Murphy, Anne Marie Stagg and Presley Darby. Interment will follow at St. John Francis Regis Cemtery in Arnaudville. Joe, the son of Jules Darby and Bertha Barras Darby was born in Arnaudville and graduated from Jefferson Military Academy in 1942. He attended SLI for one year before joining the Navy in 1944. After service to his country in World War II, he returned to SLI graduating in 1948, with a BS in animal husbandry. He worked in the cattle breeding industry in Acadia , Jeff Davis, and Vermillion Parishes. In 1949 he returned to his beloved community of Arnaudville to work in the Darby Cotton Gin, a business started by his grandfather in 1884. In 1962, he became the owner of Darby General Merchandise Store and Darby Cotton Gin. While working in the family business, he was a volunteer fireman, and served as an instructor at night school for veterans working on their GEDs. He also became a salesman for Murray Cotton Gin equipment. In 1962 M .B. Darby Warehouse was formed. In 1977, Joe organized the incorporation of Bayou Grain Company, partnering with local farmers to build the Bayou Grain Elevator. The family business continued to grow and encompass all aspects of farming. In the late 1990s partnerships in John Deere equipment facilities were formed to become Quality Equipment, a local distributor of agricultural, lawn, and garden equipment serving all of southwest Louisiana . In addition to his family business, Joe served for many years on the Board of Directors for Washington State Bank, was a member of the St. Landry Economic Development Committee, was a past president of the Louisiana Seedsmen Association, and served on the boards of many other agricultural and business related organizations. Joes love for God, family and community were sacred to him. He served as a trustee of St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church in Arnaudville for 33 years as well as a lector and Eucharistic minister. He was an ardent supporter of Little Flower School and Catholic education. His wife, Beverly Joy Ousse of Rayne, was the love of his life and they were married on February 24th, 1952 , celebrating 58 years of marriage until her death on April 25th, 2010 . Joe and Beverly were blessed with five children and ten grandchildren in whom he instilled the importance of faith and family. Joe is survived by his three sons: Joseph Darby of Arnaudville, John Darby and his wife, Michelle, of Arnaudville, and James Darby and his wife, Gretchen, of Dallas, Texas; his two daughters: Joy Murphy and her husband, Johnny, of Sunset, and Jackie Stagg and her husband, John, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; his brother: Brother James Carroll Darby, CFA who resides at the Alexian Brothers Residence in Signal Mountain, Tennessee; his sister-in-law: Rita Mae Chick Darby of Arnaudville; and ten grandchildren: Jacob Murphy, Lacey Darby, Joshua Murphy, Sarah Stagg, Lauren Darby, Jack Stagg, Julia Murphy, Anne Marie Stagg, Steven Stagg, and Presley Darby. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Beverly Ousse Darby; his parents: Jules and Bertha Barras Darby; his brother: Lee Roy Darby; and his sister: Melba Braquet. Special thanks to the many priests, religious sisters and brothers, the many friends and relatives who showered Joe and his family with prayers, visits and support during his illness. The family wishes to express its gratitude to his caregivers: a special thanks to his wonderful sitters, the caring staff of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, Heart of Hospice, OGH, St. Francis Clinic, Oncologics and the many other doctors and staff who cared for him during his time with us. Personal condolences may be sent to the Darby family at www.pellerinfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Pope John Paul II Academy in Lafayette ;Teurlings Catholic High School in Lafayette School of St. Mary in Tulsa, OK Cascia Hall Preparatory School in Tulsa, OKVisitation will be at Pellerin Funeral Home in Arnaudville, Monday from 2:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. and continue at 7:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. on Monday. Pallbearers will be David Savoie, John Powell, Jacob Murphy, Joshua Murphy, Jack Stagg and Steven Stagg. Pellerin Funeral Home of Arnaudville is in charge of arrangements. To view on-line obituary and sign guestbook, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com