Derrick Lamont Piersawl, 50, of Lexington, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2024, in the hospital surrounded by loved ones after battling acute myeloid leukemia for over two years. Derrick was born on April 12, 1974, to Michael Ray and Linda Deloris Piersawl. Derrick graduated from Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake, Virginia in 1993, where he played football (awarded the honor of Most Valuable Athlete as a Defensive Lineman in 1992), and baseball and was on the wrestling team. As a junior, he was the first runner-up in the “Mr. Great Bridge” pageant. Derrick attended Tidewater Community College and worked hard in life until he found his passion, driving. Derrick obtained his Class A CDL license and worked as a long-distance truck driver, driving through over 40 states before taking a local job in Lexington where he could be home daily.
Derrick had a strong belief in God and attended First Baptist Bracktown in Lexington, Kentucky. He was a loving father, husband, boasting grandfather to four-month-old, Azriel (A.Z.- the nickname given to him by Derrick) Roberson Piersawl–Smith, and an avid Cincinnati Bengals fan. Derrick had an infectious laugh and a smile that would light up any room. He had a love for all genres of music and was very outgoing.
Derrick and his long-term girlfriend, Ja’Meka Cotton, married in 2023, and they cherished each other. His devoted wife was continuously by his side during his battle with leukemia. Derrick fathered three children who he dearly loved, Darrah Michele Piersawl, DeTre’z Raemon Piersawl, and Honesty Rayniyah Jones, and was the stepfather to Anaiyah Cotton, Zion, and Nehemiah SalahAIDin.
Derrick was predeceased by his father, Michael Ray Piersawl, who passed away in 2003.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Ja’Meka Cotton Piersawl; his dedicated mother, Linda Deloris Piersawl; his brother, Michael Rondell Piersawl (Tanya); a sister, S. Monique Piersawl; daughters, Darrah Piersawl and Honesty Jones; a son, DeTre’z Piersawl; stepchildren, Anaiyah, Zion and Nehemiah; grandson, Azriel; nieces, Jaelah Piersawl and Zaniya Majae Richardson; nephews, Jonathon Beard, Michael Jamall Piersawl and Cash Ariza Speight, uncles, aunts, cousins, in-laws and friends.
Derrick will be remembered as someone who loved life and lived it his way. Words cannot express how much Derrick will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
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Grover mungo says
September 19, 2024 at 4:03 pmRest in peace my brother
Ericka Litten says
September 20, 2024 at 10:13 amI am so sorry for your loss, you all are in my prayers.
Linda Haugh says
September 20, 2024 at 9:56 pmI have been praying for a miracle but the Lord called him home! Everyone in the Piersawl family and his friends are in my prayers!! May the God of Heaven give you the peace and comfort to get you through this loss!
Michael Di Dio says
September 23, 2024 at 7:24 pmMy prayers and thoughts are with the Piersawl family, may all your wonderful memories comfort you during this heartbreaking time.
My heart is heavy, rest in peace brother.
Hazel Lee says
September 28, 2024 at 11:10 amLove and rest in peace. BASK in his
Love
Auntie Hazel
Missing you sooooo
… much.
Leon & Wendy Holder says
September 28, 2024 at 12:42 pmIt is with mixed convoluted emotions that I share from my broken heart my deepest sympathies to our Cousins. Our daughter’s 2 year battle had so many like facets to our cousin Derrick’s. Alicia and Derrick were born 4 days apart. She went to rest in the bosom of the Lord in 2022, and now Derrick has joined her. We will see them both in glory.
Derrick proclaims:
2Tim. 4
[7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [8] Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.