Rev. Darrell Stidham

Rev. Darrell Stidham, a child of God, was born on August 23, 1939, to the late Alta Fields Stidham and Arthur Stidham. The Lord called him home on May 16, 2025, making his stay upon this Earth 85 years, 8 months, and 24 days.

Darrell was born in Oscaloosa, Kentucky. He attended Whitesburg High School and was a talented athlete. He participated in both football and basketball. His talents in basketball provided him the opportunity to attend Lees Jr. College in Jackson, Ky.

He met the love of his life, Barbara Bowen Stidham, in high school. They were married on October 15, 1960. After marriage, they both attended Eastern Kentucky State College at Richmond, Ky.

Darrell and Barbara were blessed by the good Lord with two children, Kelvin Lee Stidham (Tina) and Scarlett Cheryl Stidham Lori (Glenn). Six grandchildren; Jacob Lee Stidham (Emma) and Nathan Andrew ‘Andy’ Stidham, sons of Kelvin and Tina Stidham. Kyle Edward Lori, Madalyn Gabrielle Lori Joplin (Dean), Grace Noel Lori, and Anna Elizabeth Lori, children of Scarlett and Glenn Lori. Four great-grandchildren; Cecily Faith Lori and Callan Glenn Lori, children of Kyle Edward Lori, Wyatt Lee Stidham, son of Jacob and Emma Stidham, and Maverick Dean Joplin, son of Madalyn and Dean Joplin.

He was a former employee of the IAAP and a retired letter carrier of 28 years for the United States Postal Service.

He was baptized on June 22, 1974, into the Charlestown Old Regular Baptist Church. He answered God’s call to preach the gospel and was ordained on January 24, 1976. He continued to study and preach the gospel for 49 years. He showed friendship and love to all those he met. He later became a member of the Chester Hogg Old Regular Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Barbara Stidham, parents Arthur and Alta Stidham, mother-in-law Ida Bowen, siblings Alvin Stidham, Lula Fields, Shirley Kelly, Dorris Stidham, Sue Thomas, who was his twin sister, Louie Whitaker, Evelyn Banks, and Pearl Banks. Survived by his brother Bobby ‘Bob’ Stidham, sister-in-law Phyllis Stidham and brother-in-law Jimmy Banks.

Visitation will be at Grayson Funeral Home, 893 High Street, Charlestown, on Thursday, May 22 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm and again on Friday from 9:00 to 11:00 am. His funeral service will be at 11:00 am at the funeral home with burial to follow in Charlestown Cemetery.

Dad, ‘Papaw’, will be greatly missed by his family that loved him greatly and many friends and loved ones. Memories and messages of support for the family can be shared at www.GraysonFuneralHome.com.