Homegoing celebration for Mr. Darnell Blocker "Football" formerly of Tampa who passed away Tuesday, October 21, 2014 will be held Saturday, October 25th, 2:00 p.m. at Aikens Funeral Home Chapel, 2708 E. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd. Rev. Michael Neely, officiating. Interment will follow. Darnell "Football" Blocker was born July 10, 1937 in Tampa, Florida to the late Anderson Blocker and Ella Mae Blocker. He was the second of seven children born to that union. He was a graduate of Middleton Senior High School class of 1958. He retired after 40 years as a devoted chef for J.W. Marriot in Washington, D.C. He attended St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Ft. Washington, Maryland. He was currently employed part time as a chef for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, St. John Residence in Washington, D.C. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Betty Jo Blocker-Carter and grandson, Rashard Blackmon; He leaves to cherish his memories with wife, Teresita B. Blocker; children, Don Blocker (Silva), Paula B. Gaskins, Jacqueline Cochran (Willie), Angela Blocker-Beaty, Karen Blocker - Redding (Joe), Crystal Woods and Dewayne Scott; grandchildren, Anika Blocker (Darryl), Jamaal Gaskins (Paola), Dontay Blocker, Ashanti McBride, Lauren Beaty, Laurie Beaty, Jarred Futrell, Zachary Redding, Lakeya Beaty, Elias Blocker and Damare Blocker; great grandchildren, Kynnedi Young and Juliet Gaskins; sisters, Dorothy Bell, Deloris Nedd, Cynthia Bryant, Clydell Blocker and Gwendolyn Blocker; aunts, Matthew Ballard "Aunt Punch"(George); cousin, Rebecca Jones and a host of nieces, nephews, other family and devoted friends. The visitation will be held at Aikens Funeral Home, Friday, October 24th from 5 to 8 p.m. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. The family and friends are asked to meet at the chapel on Saturday for the service.