A native of Marshall County, he was born Tuesday, March 31, 1964 in Benton, KY to Eddie T. and Jean (Scillion) Darnell of Gilbertsville, KY.
Steve loved spending time with his family, friends, & coaching his son’s little league baseball team. He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid hunter. He loved old cars and listening to classic rock. In his teenage years you might hear him blaring AC/DC or Lynyrd Skynyrd, as he drove his Silver ’68 Chevelle around town. Steve was a Specialized Paint Technician for Auto Paint Specialty Company of Athens, GA where he had worked since 2017. He was an accomplished auto body painter and loved helping others in the automotive industry learn the trade. He was an amazing asset in his profession.
Steve was of the Baptist Faith and a member at Lake City Baptist Church.
Surviving are his wife, Dana Lea of Athens, GA; children, Whitney Darnell of Calvert City, KY, Tasha (Kyle) Jackson of Sharpe, KY, Dustin (Karah) Darnell of Cookeville, TN and step-children, Hunter Lea of Columbus, GA, and Chelsea Lea of Wilmington, NC; sister, Wendy (Dwight) Greer of Gilbertsville, KY and brother Brad (Amy) Darnell of Gilbertsville, KY; grandchildren, Kylee Jackson, Avery Jackson, Kainden Jackson, Oliver Jackson, Griffin Jackson, Kamden Walters, Kinlee Walters, Jackson Baier, Ella Darnell, Presley Darnell and Ledger Lea. Mr. Darnell is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Steve was preceded in death by his grandparents, Floyd & Pearle Scillion and Ophus & Rosie Darnell.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday, November 5, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) in the chapel of the Collier Funeral Home, Benton, KY with Jeremy Short officiating. burial will follow the services in the Briensburg Cemetery, Benton, KY.
Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 4, 2021 at the Collier Funeral Home, 211 West 5th St., Benton, KY.
The family request that In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Briensburg Cemetery Fund c/o Sue Allen, 109 East 20th St., Benton, KY 42025 or to the Lakeview Missionary Baptist Church, c/o Luther Maddox, 504 Maddox Road, Benton, KY 42025.