LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Darius Nelson was born and raised in Little Rock on August 12, 1971, and throughout his life, he was known for being a musical prodigy who took the world by storm through his voice, leadership, and service.
Above all, Darius Nelson's wife, Michelle Nelson, said she'll remember his character the most.
"He was serious about ministry, but really most of the time he was light-hearted and a jokester," Michelle Nelson said. "He had a great sense of humor. He loved to make people laugh."
Determined to further his musical education, Darius Nelson embarked on the next phase of his journey by enrolling at Henderson State University.
During his time at Henderson, he not only pursued his studies but also assumed the role of director of the Angelic Voices Choir, an experience that honed his leadership skills and deepened his connection to music as a means of worship and expression.
Subsequently, Darius Nelson made the pivotal decision to transfer to Philander Smith College.
"We can look back on the life that he led, the example of excellence," Michelle Nelson said. "That word always comes up for Darius over and over and over again. He had a spirit of excellence that was woven through every part of his life. Whether he was making his famous chicken spaghetti or dressing himself for the choir."
According to Michelle Nelson, Darius passed away on Friday due to unclear medical complications after undergoing spinal surgery two weeks prior.
"Medically speaking, we think that he probably had a pulmonary embolus, which is a lung clot," Michelle Nelson said. "I think he was probably taken very quickly, which I'm grateful for. I don't think there was any suffering, so that is what we think happened."
However, Darius Nelson was a man with two families, his blood and his church, as he served as a pastor of worship and arts at Saint Mark Baptist Church in Little Rock.
"Looking at all of these old videos of our friend and our master choir director, we just miss him," Friend of Darius Nelson, Stephanie Jackson said. "We know that we will be able to carry on his legacy because of what he instilled in us and taught us."
Jackson, a member of Saint Mar, said Darius Nelson touched thousands, and not too many people he ran across were strangers.
"Darius could go from the Waffle House to the White House; that's the type of person that he was," Jackson said. "He was the common man, but he knew how to engage with people from all walks of life."
Darius Nelson knew how to capture the room. He took his service beyond the walls of Saint Mark as he was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and an advisory board member of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.
"I hope that people can look back on his life, and the memories of him, and think on things that he's done," Michelle Nelson said. "To be Christ-like and excellent."
Saint Mark held a memorial musical for Darius Nelson on Friday and will host his homegoing in the worship center on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Central.