Derrick Louis Presley, age 44, known by family and friends as “Big Derrick,” was called to be with the Lord on August 9, 2021, in Cocoa, FL. He was born October 24, 1976, in Nashville, Tennessee. He attended Chattanooga City schools and later graduated from Hunters Lane High School in Nashville, TN. Derrick furthered his education at Tennessee State University and Chattanooga State Technical College.
Derrick was a member of the Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA), Local 818 in Knoxville for many years, and was an Asbestos Worker by trade. He worked at various plants including Tennessee Valley Authority (Knoxville, TN) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Oak Ridge, TN).
Derrick was a kind-hearted, caring person, known for his thoughtfulness and willingness to help others in need. He had very strong spiritual faith, and often witnessed to others about the love of Jesus Christ. Derrick was raised in AME Zion and Baptist churches in Chattanooga that served as the foundation of his faith. He enjoyed writing poems and lyrics for gospel and rap music and was a Star Wars enthusiast. He loved reading the Bible and historical works, going to the beach, cooking, fishing, traveling, and swimming.
Derrick was preceded in death by his mother, Sylvia Underwood Presley; grandparents, William Taylor Underwood, Jr., and Dahlia Kinley Underwood; Oliver William and Susie Steele Presley II; and uncles, Ronald Dean Underwood; James Unzell, John Henry, Otis, and Owen Presley.
Derrick is survived by his son, Derrick M. Presley, Cocoa, FL; father, Oliver William (Judith) Presley III, Nashville, TN; brother, Oliver William Presley IV, Nashville, TN; devoted aunt, Taylor U. Rodgers, Cocoa, FL; aunts, Carla Ratcliff Underwood, Chattanooga, TN; Mary Juanita Presley and Theresa Presley-Flowers, Nashville, TN; uncles Vincent (Helena) Underwood, Woodbridge, VA; and Otto (Liz) Presley, Excelsior Springs, MO; step brother Sedrick (Denise) Newbern, Nashville, TN; and a host of beloved cousins, nieces, and close friends.
Saturday, September 4, 2021, the funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the Patton Funeral Home Chapel, 265 Fair Street SE, Cleveland, TN. Social distancing and face coverings are required. Deacon Felix Logan, St. James M.B.C., Chattanooga, TN, will officiate and Reverend Dr. Gerald L. Littlejohn, Sr., First Baptist Church, Jellico, TN, is the eulogist. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery, Chattanooga, TN. Flowers may be delivered to the chapel the morning of the funeral service. Professional arrangements entrusted to Patton Funeral Home, Brian L. Buckmon, LFD 1-800-824-8283 or www.pattonfuneralhome1962.com
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Derrick L. Presley, please visit our floral store.