Daryl Ellie Mapson

he was joined by siblings Kim, David and Dana. They grew as a family on Guardian Blvd, on Cleveland's Westside. The neighborhood, to his parents, was known as the Dust Bowl. For Daryl and his siblings, it was the Creekbank.

He joined Second Calvary Baptist Church at a very young age and was baptized with his God Parents, Jether and Sarah Pruitt, watching over him.

Daryl graduated from John Marshall High School in 1976. He was a member of the track team. Daryl was fast! For all three years, he was one of the three fastest men in the State of Ohio in the 440. He became a member of the elite State of Ohio All Boys Marching Band, playing the trombone for 3 years. Additionally, he earned the highest honor of Eagle Scout in 1976.

Daryl attended Baldwin Wallace College for two years where he became a charter member of
the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., NU Chapter in 1977. The brotherhood of Kappa Alpha Psi always held a special place in his heart.

In 1982, he transferred to Syracuse University's prestigious School of Architecture to complete
his degree. He earned a Bachelor of Architecture, fulfilling his childhood dream. He won the senior design award from Syracuse's School of Architecture for his design of a church he titled Church of the Fire Baptized. Always a city person and wanting to make Cleveland the best it could be, he formed Tribe Architects and Village Planners in 1994. His creativity and knowledge will be his legacy as parts of Daryl are permanently displayed around the city, including the church you are in right now, whose interior he revised.

Daryl and Tara (Watts) met the summer of 1979 while working at Collinwood H.S. through the city work program for students. (Thank you, Uncle David). That started a romance that lasted 7 years before Daryl made it permanent. They were married August 22,1987. From their union came 4 children Justice Watts, Daryl Kayla, Nigel, and Jordan Bennett.

Daryl volunteered a lot of his time with young people. He was an active member of Imani United Church of Christ for over 25 years. He played an important role in the Chosen Generation youth church where he taught Sunday School for many years.

Daryl loved playing sports as a child and thought every child must feel the same way, so he coached football and baseball. As a coach he poured himself into his team. He picked them up from
home for practice and games. He made sure they had snacks and beverages and he and Tara would sometimes take them home if their parents were away. He loved John Marshall High School so he stayed involved as an alumni and was an active member of the Hall of Fame committee.

Daryl was known for his creative approach to life's situations. He once put a headboard in their front yard and planted corn and sunflowers for a "flower bed". When the kids began to eat their weight in eggs, he decided to raise chickens. He purchased chicks, watched them grow and produce eggs. Since they were free range chickens, the whole neighborhood got to know the Mapson's chickens! And the neighbors received free eggs too. As an added bonus Daryl won a design award from the City of Cleveland for his creative chicken coup.

Whether you agreed or not, Daryl was always ready to share his thoughts on any subject whether politics, race, education, the Browns, Cavs or Guardians. His Facebook posts were legendary, earning him the nickname "Professor Mapson". He enjoyed sharing amazing architecture, unique artwork including his Dad's art, historical facts, many jokes, and so much more.

Daryl Ellie Mapson was proceeded in death by his father Ellie Mapson and his younger brother David Mapson; his father-in-law Willie Watts. He is survived by his wife Tara (Watts), his mother Maggie Mapson, his mother-in-law Della Watts, his siblings Kim (Melvin Johnny) Mazyck, and Dana; his brother-in-law David Watts, sister-in-law Ayanna Vaughn; his children Justice Watts, Daryl Kayla (Devin) Beville, Nigel Mapson, and Jordan Bennett; his grandchildren Dylan, Deanna and Dean Beville; all of the other children he and Tara cared for: siblings Aubrey and Avery, nieces Brianna and Tamia Booker, Allison Watts and nephew William Watts; children's friends Owen Zeleniakas, Hayden Robinson, siblings Devonte, Grady and Sasha Triplett and the many other children he guided and coached; and a host of Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Family and Friends.