Rev. Joseph Darby, a Columbia native and revered pastor and influential civil rights leader, has died at the age of 74. His passing, announced by family on Friday, August 9, marks the end of an era for the city’s social justice movement and faith community.
Reverend Joseph A. Darby, Jr., was born on August 7, 1951, in Columbia, South Carolina, to Eloise and Joseph A. Darby, Sr. Darby was raised in the Wheeler Hill community of Columbia, South Carolina. An excellent student, Darby attended Booker T. Washington High School where he was in the honor society and was elected class president; he graduated in 1969 and enrolled in South Carolina State University. Darby transferred to the University of South Carolina and received his B.A. degree in sociology in 1973.
Darby was called to the ministry and prepared himself by attending the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary; he was a fourth-generation minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Darby dedicated nearly
five decades to the African Methodist Episcopal Church, serving as pastor at Nichols Chapel AME in Charleston and in congregations across South Carolina, including Gaston, Columbia, Eastover, and Beaufort. Known for a ministry that reached far beyond the pulpit, Darby championed equality and justice in every sphere he entered.
Rev. Darby’s role as First Vice-President of the Charleston Branch of the NAACP and various state leadership positions made him a prominent
advocate in South Carolina’s Black community, especially after tragedies such as the 2015 Mother Emanuel church shooting. He was also chairman of the South Carolina Coalition of Black Church Leaders and inducted into the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame in 2002.
His activism and pastoral guidance earned praise from leaders and congregants alike. Congressman James E. Clyburn released the following
approached Thomas about launching a karate program. Before Thomas was considered, Meadow Lakes Park had several other martial art instructors, but their programs weren’t successful.
“When we started, we started with two students, and in the first month we had already added on about 15 more, and then by the end of three months we had over 50 students.”
He credited the rapid growth to their recruiting skills and his reputation as a teacher, which gave parents confidence in enrolling their children. Thomas also credited the parents of the students.
In 1997, Thomas moved the program from Meadow Lakes Park to Shakespeare Road and opened the first Tony Thomas Family Karate school. As enrollment increased, he rented additional office space next door, and both enrollment and support continued to grow.
Thomas realized the need to relocate to a larger facility during a belt testing event, where students perform in front of instructors and family members to earn their next belt. At that event, local real estate developer Charles Gary approached him after noticing the overflow of cars in the parking lot.
“They parked all the way up the road,” Thomas said. “So, I went out and looked, and he came back in and said, ‘It’s time for you to leave.’ So, he took me down to the place that we’re in and showed me the property.”
Gary, whose grandson was a student in Thomas’ program, walked the couple through the development plan for the new location on Fountaine Center Drive.
Gary, whose grandson was a student in Thomas’ program, walked the couple through the development plan for the new location on Fountaine Center Drive.
“I knew he was in real estate, and he would have been the one that I would have contacted anyway. But fortunately, his grandson was at my karate school,” Thomas said.
Gary showed Thomas the property, organized the architect and hired Ron Staley, Jr. as the contractor.
“I was there every day— from the day he poured the foundation until he gave me the keys to go in,” he said. “I watched that whole building. I drew that design on a napkin and gave it to Charles. He took it to the architect, but I
drew it out the way I wanted it done.”
Obtaining the financing for the new building came easily, Thomas said, as the business had a 10-year history on Shakespeare Road and a strong financial track record with their bank.
“They were already familiar with our business, the income that we were making. So, it wasn’t quite as hard,” he said.
“Not only does Tony teach karate,” said the late Clente Flemming, who was President of South Carolina Community Bank, at the grand opening, “he teaches life skills. When you look at television, and you look at what’s happening in our communities, we need more Tonys. We need the community to back him. That’s the same philosophy the South Carolina Community Bank has.”
Once the building was completed, hundreds of people attended the grand opening on April 28, 2007. Since that time, hundreds of kids have learned life skills and karate in the Tony Thomas Family Karate building.
When asked what he finds most rewarding about teaching karate, Thomas said it’s witnessing his students’
statement on the passing of Reverend Joseph Darby, Jr.
“I’m deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend, Reverend Joseph Darby, Jr.,” Clyburn said. “Reverend Darby was an extraordinary and gifted man — a community leader, servant, and a faithful man of God. His career has been marked by selfless service to others that comes not only from his dedication to the ministry, but his innate passion and compassion.
“He will always be known as a pillar to South Carolina. He leaves behind a legacy of vision, integrity, and excellence that will continue to shape South Carolina’s future for generations to come. He will be dearly missed.”
Rev. Darby died just one day after his 74th birthday, leaving behind a legacy as “a voice of Charleston’s conscience” and a moral lion whose wisdom and kindness touched countless lives. Tributes continue to pour in from faith groups, civil rights organizations, and citizens, reflecting the deep impact of his nearly 50 years of service and unwavering dedication to justice, equality, and love for the marginalized.
because I am showing up for my hometown,” said James-Bethea. “The energy, support, and excitement from everyone involved was unmatched. We’re already looking forward to next year.”
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