Darrell Wayne Kersey

A photo of Darrell, obtained from Raleigh News and Observer.

Darrell Wayne Kersey passed away on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 after battling COVID-19. He was 59. A loving husband, brother, father, and grandfather, Darrell was born in Guilford County, North Carolina and was incarcerated in Durham County at the time of his death. He worked for National Gas Company, and his wife, Teresa Kersey, told CBS17 that Darrell “loved to ride his motorcycle, operating machinery, and he loved his grandchildren more than anything.” His daughter, Kelli, described him to Raleigh News and Observer as an outgoing man who was an avid fan of NASCAR—especially of Dale Earnhardt—and who loved golfing. 

A photo of Darrell, from his family, by way of CBS17. 

Over the summer, Darrell reported feeling sick with a sore throat and headache to his wife before being transferred to an Intensive Care Unit in August. He had tested positive for COVID-19 during an outbreak at the Durham County Detention Center, but because he was being transferred to state custody, Darrell’s condition and death were not reported to the public nor associated with the Durham County Detention Center. His suffering and tragic passing were, like so many others’, completely swept under the radar by correctional authorities.

Teresa, who spoke to Darrell nearly every day while he was incarcerated, was able to speak to her husband only twice while he was in the hospital. His family was able to say a final goodbye before he passed at Duke University Hospital. Of his brother, Robert Kersey told WRAL, “It was a great life while it lasted. I wish it could have been longer.” 

This memorial was written by MOL team member Kyle Hulburd with information from reporting by Crystal Price of CBS17, Travis Fain of WRAL, Virginia Bridges of Raleigh News and Observer, and Dryden Quigley of IndyWeek.