Larry Darnell Giles

Larry Darnell Giles departed this life on June 23 in a Mechanicsville hospital.  He was born at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia on September 24, 1953, to the late Laverta Taylor Fauntleroy and Alfred Claiborne Giles.  He developed a love of nature and writing at an early age on his grandfather Willie Giles' farm in Essex County and often recalled vivid details of the farm in his poetry.  Larry excelled in academics at John Moncure Elementary School and Essex High School where he graduated in 1971. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Livingstone College in 1975 and was inducted in Who's Who In American Colleges and the Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society. He also pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.  Larry's love of learning continued at the University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University where he received a master's degree in educational leadership and administration.

Larry's career as an educational leader in Richmond Public Schools, Essex County Public Schools, and Richmond County Public Schools spanned more than 45 years. Throughout his career he won numerous educational awards, including several Teacher of The Year Awards in Richmond and Excellence In Education Awards.

During the past 10 years, he has been very productive while battling cancer. He has been the catalyst and mentor for local poets and artists. Some reside in different states and one very dedicated poet lives in Spain. He published several notable works, including a book of poetry called Father, Tree, Water and Journey Home a prize-winning play he co-wrote and directed. He loved intellectual exchange and often posted on the Essex County Black History & Culture Archives and the Book of Battery, pages he created to pay homage to his hometown country roots and Essex County. The pages have grown to more than 2000 combined followers.

Larry leaves to cherish his memory, his father, Alfred Claiborne Giles, three sisters: Rose Giles of Richmond, Betty Saunders (Nestor) of Tappahannock and Tena Fauntleroy of Richmond; two brothers: Daniel Fauntleroy of Richmond and Al Giles of Mechanicsville; three aunts: Lucille Fortune, Phyllis and Margaret Giles; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and a dear friend, Dorothy Rice.

The family will receive friends on Friday, June 27 at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Visitor's Center, Robin's Room, Richmond, VA, Friday, June 27, from 5-7 p.m.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 28 at 10 a.m. at New Liberty Baptist Church, 33030 Sparta Rd., Milford.

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