Dr. Earline Darby Barkley, age 66, was born on July 31, 1956, to the union of Reverend Willie Hayes Darby and Clara Louise (nee Goldsmith) in Twinsburg, OH. She departed this life on December 23, 2022.  She was preceded in death by her father Reverend Willie Hayes Darby and siblings, Elzenia Jones, Michael, Willie George and Gabriel Darby.

She enjoyed a joyous childhood as one of nine children in Twinsburg, OH. Earline gained her education through the Twinsburg City School District for grammar and junior high. She attended R.B Chamberlain-Twinsburg and John F. Kennedy-Cleveland high schools, graduating in 1974. Receiving many honors for her intelligence, she excelled scholastically and participated in numerous extracurricular activities.

Upon graduation, Earline was accepted into Hiram College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences, with a minor in Education. She enlisted in the United States Army, attending Officer Candidate School and upon completion, she served in Germany. After discharge from the military, she met and fell in love with her husband of forty years, Frederick Lee Barkley. They married in 1982. To this union was born, April Joy and Frederick Lee Jr. For the next ten years, her priority became raising her children. In 1996, after a ten-year hiatus, she enrolled in The Akron University and began to pursue a career in Special Education, earning her second Bachelor of Arts and Masters Degrees in Special Education with a specialization in SBH (Severe Behavioral Handicapped). In 2006, she enrolled in Capella University and earned her Doctorate in Education Administration. Teaching was truly Earline’s passion, spending almost four decades mentoring and educating youth.

Earline gave her life to Christ at a young age. She joined Rescue Temple Church of God in Christ, under the pastorate of Elder James Bivens, and Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ, under the pastorate of her father, Reverend Prince Willie Hayes Darby. In 2013, Earline, Fred and family, began attending United Church of God, an International Association in Berea, Ohio, under the pastorate of Mr. Greg Thomas. She was baptized in August 2016. Her faith remained constant throughout her life.

Over the years, Earline enjoyed traveling to numerous destinations with her family and loved ones. Some of these destinations included sporting events for the Cleveland Browns and other Cleveland teams, Disney World, Barbados, Dominica, Granada, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Cozumel and Las Vegas became their favorite vacation spot. Earline loved life and all that it had to offer. Family was very important to her. She enjoyed spending time with her children, family and friends. Earline treasured her grandchildren, and they were the jewels in her crown. God blessed us by allowing her to be in our lives for as long as he did.

Dr. Earline Darby Barkley leaves to mourn, her devoted husband Frederick, her children April Joy Barkley-Woulard of Twinsburg, OH, Fredrick Lee Barkley Jr (Christina) of Streetsboro, OH, Kelitta Nycole Barkley of Garfield Heights, OH and Phillip Jamal Barkley of Cleveland, OH, Grandchildren, Jocelyn, Rosalyn, Leigha, Cedric, Gregory, Joseph and Joshua, mother Missionary Clara Louise Darby, three sisters Mary Louise Darby and Patricia Diane Darby-Marbury (Felix) of Twinsburg, OH and Jeanette Delores Owens of Atlanta, GA and brother Sgt. Robert Sylvester Darby of San Antonio, Texas, Sisters-In-Law Sylvia Manning (James) and Patricia Dulaney (Aubrey) six aunts, three uncles, one great aunt and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family “adopted relations” and many treasured friends.