The Reverend Doctor Darryl Michael Smaw, son of the late Ernest and Charlotte Smaw, beloved friend and inspiration to many, passed away at the age of 80 on December 4th in Philadelphia after a difficult struggle with colon cancer. He is survived by his loving soulmate of forty-two years, Matthew Verbinnen, his brother Harvey, and nieces Kimberly Bryant (Avis) and Lisa Bohanan (Wallace), extended family, and the countless people whose lives he made richer, truer, and more beautiful whether they knew him or not.

Multi-talented, passionate, wise and profoundly kind, Darryl may be remembered most for his lifelong dedication to education as a means for creating better opportunities, better lives, and better souls. He earned a Doctor of Education from Harvard's Graduate School of Education, among his several other degrees, and was for a decade the Associate Dean at Swarthmore College for Multicultural Affairs.

He was perhaps most proud of how the guidance he provided at Swarthmore, Harvard, Brown University, Lesley College and many other schools helped younger people, especially students from underprivileged, minority and at-risk backgrounds. His efforts empowered countless students to access and gain a life-transforming education. As a teacher and mentor, Darryl was capable of both the warmest and most faithful encouragement and the steeliest, truthful gaze in response to equivocation or wrongdoing. Everywhere Darryl went, he fostered an inclusive and enlightened spirit that encouraged people to transcend their differences and work together to make the world a fairer, kiner and more just place. Darryl was driven by a graceful and relentless urgency to grow goodness.

His life and work were always inspired by his faith and by love. Whether as teacher, mentor, musician or friend, Darryl's belief in goodness and God was always present. Before - and even while - he was a dedicated educator, Darryl was a minister, ordained at Mount Carmel Baptist Church in 1972. His life demonstrates that being a teacher and a minister are simply different ways of helping people lead lives of meaning.

Darryl also was an incredibly gifted and passionate musician. A classically trained vocalist and charismatic presence, Darryl performed in a wide spectrum of venues and genres, most especially in his favorite jazz and blues. He reminds us of the joy that resides in sharing our passions and art with others.

All of us mourn the loss of this beautiful and accomplished man.

There will be a viewing on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at White-Luttrell Funeral Home, 311 N. Swarthmore Avenue in Ridley Park, PA from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. On Friday, December 15th, the funeral will be held at 11 am (preceeded by a viewing at 10am) at the Friends Meeting House, 12 Whittier Place, on the campus of Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pa. Burial to follow at Eastlawn Cemetery.

Memorial Donations may be made in Darryl's name for Cancer Disparities at Jefferson Health's Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center