Darius William Quinlan

Darius William Quinlan, 16, of Streetman, passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at Groesbeck. Visitation will be held Saturday, March 17, 2018, from 6:00-8:00 P.M. in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Sunday, March 18, 2018 in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, with Burnett Wallace officiating. Burial will follow in New Salem Cemetery in Centerville. Pallbearers will be Jose Oviedo III, Jackie Willis, Datreal Petty, Jordan Dawes, Brandon Hamilton, Benny Key, Stephen Hines, and Jason Roberts. Darius always liked spending time with his Pawpaw George Quinlan and helping him with any work he had. He also loved going fishing with Tim Ayers when they were in Centerville and hunting with his uncle Joe. And he enjoyed time at home with his brother and sister, Glenn and Sabrina and was protective of them. Darius grew up most of his life in Centerville, and had lived in Streetman the past two years with his guardians, Benny and Shanda Key, and their girls, Kierra and AdaLynn. He loved those girls like sisters and was their protective big brother, giving them love and encouragement when he felt it was needed. He was one of the most caring and forgiving young men that Benny has ever known in his life. When he learned to forgive himself, he was then able to forgive everyone else. He was a Freshman in Fairfield High School, doing well with his grades. He was especially close to his PE coach who was his biggest role model. Darius was a happy kid, proud of himself with his accomplishments. His friendship with Ryan from church changed his life, as Ryan helped him find God again and make peace with his brother’s death from two years earlier. He looked forward to attending every service at Fairfield Christian Center. Darius is survived by his mother, Tammy Marie Quinlan and her fiance Timothy Ayers of Pleasanton, and his father, Gerardo "Jerry" Zepeda of Thornton; sister, Sabrina McCleney of Pleasanton; brother, Glenn McCleney of Alvord; maternal grandfather, George Quinlan of Centerville; paternal grandparents, Mary Alice Reese and Buddy White of Thornton; Meme, Glynda Stone of Buffalo; and numerous aunts and uncles and cousins; and his guardian family in Streetman, Benny and Shanda Key and Kierra Hopkins and AdaLynn Holloway. He was preceded in death by his big brother, Jacobey "CoCo" Arollo; maternal grandmother, Rennie Yarbrough; and other aunts and uncles.