Harold Derryberry, age 72, born on September 27, 1951, and a longtime resident of Iron Bridge Road Community, departed this life on June 17, 2024, at his residence in Columbia.
Harold was the eighth of nine children born to Robert Lentz Derryberry and Bertha Black Derryberry. A native of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, he spent his childhood and most of his adult life in Columbia and the surrounding area.
He is survived by a son, a daughter, and a grandson, three sisters, one sister in law, six nieces and two nieces, and several great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, one sister, two sisters in law, and one nephew.
Harold attended Pottsville and Spring Hill Schools before joining the United States Army at a very young age. He served two tours of duty as telecommunication specialist and four years in South Korea. He attended Columbia State Community College after his military service.
He worked several years as a construction manager and took pride in always keeping the job on schedule.
In his leisure time, he was a talented woodworker and enjoyed making crafts and novelties and his specialty was Mule Day items. He often gave most of his wares to the young children at the parade so he could go home and start making the next batch.
He had a green thumb, inherited from his mother and enjoyed raising a garden, beautiful flowers and took immense pride in maintaining the small family cemetery on Highway 412.
The family of Harold Derryberry wishes to acknowledge the outstanding medical care he received through the years from the veteran’s administration hospital in Nashville, Tennessee as he was a long-standing disabled veteran and cancer survivor. Also, special thanks to the late Roy Fitzgerald, a cousin and “brother by another mother,” who was a helping hand and means of support, who stood with him in every way when life got rough.
Thank you to his recent care team, friends and associates for your help… you know who you are!
RIP Harold and GOD BLESS AMERICA. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
