Moses Alton Darby of Springfield, MA, died on Friday, Oct. 23, 2009. He was 79.
A son of the late Samuel Sr. and Minnie King Darby, and stepson of the late Corine Pauling Darby Addison, Mr. Darby was born Aug. 31, 1930 in St. Stephen, the fifth of eight children.
The family lived in Hartford during his early years, returning to South Carolina where he graduated in 1951 as Salutatorian from St. Stephen Colored High School. He was baptized and served faithfully at Mt Pisgah Holiness Church until he enlisted in the U.S. Army in Moncks Corner on July 11, 1951. He was honorably discharged on July 1, 1953, having received the Korean Service Medal, two Bronze Service Stars, and the United Nations Service Medal. He reenlisted for a second tour, 1954 to 1957.
In Dec. 2003 the Veterans of Foreign Wars Political Action Committee honored him with a Certificate of Appreciation for supporting the preservation of the rights and entitlements earned by American Veterans, including disabled or hospitalized Vets.  
He is loved and mourned by his daughter, Ms. Keith Darby; his son, Tony (Anita) Beckman Sr.; former wife Julia Willis Darby; four grandchildren, Tony Beckman Jr., and Toneka, Tiffany and Terrell; a great-granddaughter, Tiana of Hartford; four sisters, Dolores Darby of Lake City, Marie D. (Beamon) Hubert, Evangeline D. (Bennie) Moorer of Far Rockaway, NY, and L. Ann (Fred) Wilson of St. Stephen; two brothers, Samuel (Diana) Darby and Edward (Elizabeth “Dene”) Darby of St. Stephen; six sisters-in-law, Oprah Darby, Frances Darby, Sarah Williams, Marion Lowe, Clara DeBeatham and Gracie  Gilbert; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, including cousin Geruth Croker Graham of Manhattan and niece Gayle Darby Warren of Hartford.
Services were held Nov. 2 in the Carmon Funeral Home Chapel, 807 Bloomfield Av, Windsor, CT.  He was laid to rest with military honors at Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown, CT.  
Please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com to send notes of condolence and sign the online guest book.