A house RESOLUTION

to EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF Dr. Charles Pinckney Darby, Jr., OF charleston COUNTY AND TO EXTEND DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS LARGE AND LOVING FAMILY AND HIS MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Charles Darby at the age of ninety on February 7, 2024; and

Whereas, born on June 11, 1933, in Mount Pleasant and reared in its Old Village, he was the son of the late Charles Pinckney Darby and Helen Freeman Darby. He worked for his family's boatyard business on Shem Creek with his brother Gordon and starred for the Moultrie High Generals as they won the 1950 State football championship. He continued his academic and football career at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, where he felt called to serve others in pediatric medicine; and

Whereas, Dr. Darby studied at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), and after completing pediatric residency training at Duke University, he returned to Mt. Pleasant, where he opened the sole pediatric practice on Coleman Boulevard. Always striving to enhance his ability to care for children, he completed a microbiology and infectious disease fellowship in London, England, in 1969 at The Hospital for Sick Children on Great Ormand Street.  When he returned to Charleston, he was recruited to join the MUSC faculty to become chairman of pediatrics in 1982. A truly exceptional visionary, he dedicated over five decades to providing outstanding pediatric care at MUSC, building a world-class research center and establishing the transformative MUSC Children's Hospital in 1987; and

Whereas, in 1955, he married his beloved wife, the former Joyce Carolyn Long. Married for sixty-six years until her passing in 2021, together they reared five outstanding children: Charles Pinckney Darby III, Elizabeth Darby Haizlip, Anne Darby Parker, John Charles Long Darby, and Joya Darby Wolf; and  

Whereas, his children blessed him with the affection of seventeen grandchildren: Charles Pinckney Darby IV, Anne Lee Haizlip McCrea, Alberta Sottile Long Darby, John Wesley Haizlip, Joyce Carolyn Darby Wood, Darby Scott Parker, John Charles Long Darby, Jr., Arthur Homer Darby, Christopher Pinckney Parker, Tambra Leland Darby Sisk, Helen Elizabeth Darby Barnes, Cecilia Darby Wolf, Lucile Stadler Wolf, Elizabeth Darby Haizlip, Amelia Anne Sullivan Parker, David Lawrence Wolf, and the late William Sullivan Parker.  He was honored to see the continuation of his loving family legacy in nineteen great-grandchildren; and

Whereas, Dr. Darby devoted himself to making MUSC Children's Hospital a place where children could be children and every child could feel safe, loved, and cared for.  Driven to provide the best care possible and attract the best practitioners, he established MUSC Children's Fund, the Charles P. Darby Children's Research Institute, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston. Devoted to his community, he founded many other organizations in the Lowcountry, including HALOS and the local United Way chapter. He and his wife established a family foundation embodying shared values; and

Whereas, Dr. Darby influenced and inspired his colleagues and changed the lives of those around him. His residents and medical students emulated and adored him, the pinnacle of excellence, not only in what he did, but also in who he was. He epitomized devotion to his family and friends and lovingly demonstrated through his actions what it meant to live a fulfilling life, a profound precedent for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He created lasting memories through the combination of three of his passions: enjoying the outdoors, keeping physically fit, and spending time with his family; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is genuinely grateful for the life and legacy of Charlie Darby and the example of excellence and kindness he set for all who knew him. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Dr. Charles Pinckney Darby, Jr., of Charleston County and extend deepest sympathy to his large and loving family and his many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of  Dr. Charles Pinckney Darby, Jr.

----XX----