Darrell Thomas DuBois

Darrell DuBois was born April 11, 1956, in Cincinnati, Ohio to the union of Clyde Patrick DuBois, Sr. and Vera Mae (Chambers). He accepted Christ at an early age, as a member of the El Bethel Baptist Church. As a teenager Darrell attended Woodward High School and graduated in 1974. Darrell was united in matrimony to Kim Gilyard in 1984, and from this union one son was born, Andre.

Music emerged as a central theme in Darrell’s life early. He was a part of several bands in high school, as well as a soloist with Corinthian Baptist Church’s Inspirational Choir as an adult. However, as a singer, he is likely best known as an original member of The Cincinnati Voices of Thunder, a gospel group he formed in 1982 with his eldest brother, Terry, and his cousin, Alfred McCoy, Sr. Later joined by his older brother, Clyde, Jr., the group was exceptionally popular in the city from the mid 1980s until the early 2000s. In 1999, the group was named the Best Male Gospel Group in the city by WCIN. After 2004, Darrell mostly retired from singing publicly but would pop out on special occasions or when put on the spot. Such moments included a small Voices of Thunder reunion at his son’s wedding and an impromptu feature at his niece Cara’s live recording, where he tore the house down in less than a minute.

Darrell worked for over 30 years at Keebler, following his father and eldest sister Tonda’s footsteps. He was highly regarded as an employee and gained lifelong friends. He was also extremely loyal to the company’s brand. Even years after retirement, his grandson began calling him “Papa Cookies” as he would always include Keebler products in the snack packages he would give to his grandchildren.

Darrell was preceded in death by his parents; Vera Mae and Clyde Sr.; and two sisters, Roberta and Paula. He leaves to cherish his memory his only son, Andre (Andréa); three grandchildren: Isabella, Andre Jr., and Averi; four brothers: Terry, Clyde Jr., Mark (Donna), Dwayne; and three sisters: Tonda; Claudia (Lawrence); and Ruth. He also leaves five uncles: Donald DuBois, Robert Douglas, Kenneth, Edward, and Donald Chambers; two aunts, Constance and Bernice Chambers; eleven nieces and nephews, numerous great nieces and nephews, god-children, cousins and friends.

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