Darnell J. Washington, age 48 of Iowa City died at his home on Friday, November 11, 2022, Darnell was born March 25, 1974, in Chicago where he had lived before moving to Iowa City. He has spent most of his lifetime working in food service. He loved cooking with his grandma at very young age. He remembered all the family recipes and would never share with his siblings as he loved cooking for them. As an adult he took that passionate and continued to make others smile eating his food. He was recently accepted to Kirkwood Community College for Culinary and was to start January 2023. Darnell was so full of life, his smile would light up a room and was so contiguous. Whenever he was around the room was full of laughter. He was never good at telling a joke nor could he dance. However, he could tell you a story and have the entire room laughing. He was preceded in death by his mother Darlene Washington, and grandmother Alma Washington. He is survived by his siblings Tyeisha Washington, and Benjamin Washington; He was a uncle to Nyesha and Naeji; step-father, Herbert Walton; and his significant other, Tina Fults. No public services are being planned. Do Not Stand By My Grave and Weep By Mary Elizabeth Frye Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep. I am in a thousand winds that blow, I am the softly falling snow. I am the gentle showers of rain, I am the fields of ripening grain. I am in the morning hush, I am in the graceful rush Of beautiful birds in circling flight, I am the starshine of the night. I am in the flowers that bloom, I am in a quiet room. I am in the birds that sing, I am in each lovely thing. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there. I did not die.