Mr. Larry Driskell

Obituary For Mr. Larry Driskell

In profound sorrow we announce the passing of Mr. Larry Driskell. Celebration of Life will take place Friday September 19, 2025 11:00am at Cascade United Methodist Church, Southwest Campus 3144 Cascade Rd. SW. Atlanta, GA 30311. Grissom-Clark Funeral Home.

A Time to be Born

Larry Driskell was born Friday, October 5, 1956 in Atlanta, Georgia. His birth was a blessing to his mother, the late Mattie Kendrick Driskell and his father the late Harvey Driskell. Larry was the only boy having three sisters: Jeanie, Betty Joyce and Gloria Ann.

A Time to Build

Larry had strong Christian and educational foundations. As a child, he attended Allen Temple A.M.E. Church in Atlanta with his family. It was there that he was baptized. As an adult, he attended New Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

Larry’s educational journey began at the historic Wheat Street Baptist Church Elementary School in Atlanta. He was an eager and bright student. He took part in numerous school productions, learning his lines and stealing the show on stage by also reciting the lines of classmates when they forgot theirs. Larry matriculated through the Atlanta Public System starting at Thomas Heathe Slater Elementary and later Margaret Fain Elementary. He excelled academically and consistently made the honor roll. A quintessential boy, Larry loved the outdoors and sports. It was during his elementary years that he was an active Boy Scout taking part in the first Boy Scout Stadium Show in Atlanta at the Atlanta Stadium. At 10 years of age, Larry began playing football with a neighborhood league. Larry attended Southwest Atlanta High School where he continued to excel in academics and athletics. Notably, Larry held the position of defensive end, number 88, on the 1973 Southwest High School varsity football team. On December 7, 1973, the team became the first all African American team in Georgia High School Association history to win a state football championship. The team ranked second in the nation during the 1973-1974 season. After graduating from high school, Larry attended Morris Brown College, where he majored in business administration. After college, Larry was employed by the Beard Company.

A Time to Love and to Embrace

Larry placed immense value on family and friendships. In 1980, Larry met the late Anita King. The two fell in love and were joined in holy matrimony in 1982. As a son, he adored his parents who taught him the value of kindness and resilience that he carried throughout life. As a brother, he admired his older sisters Jeanie and Betty Joyce and was protective of his younger and closest friend, Gloria Ann. His compassion for others was immeasurable. He took an active role in the care of his mother, grandmother and younger sister until their respective transitions. Larry was a doting uncle—immensely proud of his nieces and nephews loving each of them as if they were his own children. He had nicknames for each of them and touted their accomplishments whenever he had the opportunity. Larry never met a stranger. He developed and maintained many deep and abiding friendships, several of which originated in early childhood and remained intact until the time of his transition. He had a knack for numbers. He easily remembered birthdays and telephone numbers and never failed to call loved ones on their special day.

A Time for Peace

Larry peacefully transitioned to life eternal on August 25, 2025. He was proceeded in death by his parents, and sister Gloria Ann. Mourning but celebrating his life are: two loving sisters, Jeanie Crowell (Dana) of Acworth and Betty Joyce May (Augustin) of Snellville; six nephews and nieces, Reginald Ealy of Atlanta, Dr. Kenneth Ealy (Barbara) of Acworth, Dr. Ashleigh Murriel (Kevin) of Atlanta, Antonio Mack (Jacqueline) of Tyler, Texas, Matalie Mack of Decatur, Branden May (Brittany) of Brookhaven; and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and many life-long friends.