Toshiko Darby

Having lived a long and full life, Toshiko Sakihara Darby died on May 29, 2021 in her adopted town of Chaffee, MO. She was 82.

She was born on April 20, 1939 in Oku, Okinawa to Eijiro and Michiko Sakihara. She and her four siblings and her civilian parents survived the brutal annexation of the Ryukyu Islands by Japan. They survived the devastation of one of World War II’s most deadly battles on the island of Okinawa. They survived the traumatic aftermath of war. She helped her family by earning income as a seamstress. Later she met John H. Darby, Jr., an U.S. Air Force enlisted soldier. They applied for and were granted permission by the U.S. government to marry, which they did on July 19, 1963. They were married for 42 years until the death of her husband in 2005.

Leaving her homeland behind, Toshiko and her new family moved to Chaffee, MO in 1970. She made Chaffee her permanent home, learned English, and embraced American culture. While raising three children, she cared for numerous children of working parents in her home and later worked at the various local textile and garment factories. She converted to Christianity upon settling in Chaffee and was a long-time attendant of the United Methodist Church and later the Calvary Baptist Church. She was an active volunteer in the local Meals on Wheels program. Taking pride in growing and preserving her own vegetables, she was an avid gardener and generous neighbor. No child ever left her home without candy. No friend or stranger ever left without eating or taking food with them.

She is preceded in death by her husband John H. Darby, Jr. and survived by her children Harry Darby and daughter-in-law Robyn Rowe of Mexia, TX, John Darby and daughter-in-law Kanika Darby of Lewisville, TX; Emily Darby and son-in-law Jonathan Tuttle of Lewiston, ME; grandchildren Emily and Evan Darby of Mexia, TX; Trinity, Matthew, and Zachary Darby of Lewisville, TX; Jon Tuttle of Santa Clara, CA; Darby Tuttle of Chicago, IL.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Saturday, July 10, 2021 at the Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee. Memorial services will be conducted at 11:00 am at the Chapel. Burial will be at Union Park Cemetery, Chaffee, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be to the Chaffee Meals on Wheels program. C/O Chaffee Nutrition Center, PO Box 116, Chaffee, MO 63740.