CPO Derrell S. Yarborough, US Navy, Retired

Derrell Singleton Yarborough, age 83, of West Columbia, SC passed away on June 30th  after an extended illness with the love of his life for more than 65 years by his side. He wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

“Bulldog”, as he was known due to his dogged police work, was born on January 5th, 1942 in Florence, SC to Wilson and Dora Yarborough. Derrell always had a passion for serving his country and community, retiring from the U.S. Navy after 20 years followed by 17 years as a sheriff’s deputy in Lexington County.   During that service he touched so many lives.

While his career was his passion nothing was more important to him than his family. He worked so hard, sometimes three jobs at a time, to give them all a better life and he was so proud of them.

He is survived by his adoring wife Ottie; his daughter, Tammy (Bobby) Cox; and son, Rick Yarborough (Joe Winter); along with grandchildren, Ashley (Bob, Jr.) Bennett and Morgan (Estevan) Gomez; great-grandchildren, Brynleigh, Brystol and Wyatt; and his sister, Merris (Robert) Parker.

He is predeceased by his parents along with six brothers and six sisters.

Derrell had a passion for life and was always going high speed. He got to fulfill one of the biggest dreams earlier this summer with a ride around the Charlotte Motor Speedway in a NASCAR vehicle.   He often kidded with his family when they would get lucky and find a great parking spot somewhere that he knew a guy and had called ahead. We know he called ahead this time too and is saving a spot for us all.

The funeral service will be held 1pm Thursday, July 3rd at Barr-Price Funeral Home and Crematorium, Lexington Chapel 609 Northwood Road Lexington, SC 29072. Burial will follow at Woodridge Memorial Park 138 Corley Mill Road, Lexington, SC 29072. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 2nd from 5pm to 7pm at the funeral home.

The family would like to thank all the 6th and 8th floor nursing staff at Lexington Medical Center and Amedisys Hospice for their unwavering support and compassion during this difficult time.

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