Fallen Hero: SSG(Ret) Derick Lemond Booker

Oxford

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Funeral Home

L Hodges Funeral Service

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Obituary

Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard
In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.
Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on February 17, 2022, and moved on to his heavenly home. SSG(Ret) Derick Lemond Booker, age 42, a retired member of the MS Army National Guard who had served within the 2nd Battalion, 198th Armored Regiment has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.
It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.
Rest in Peace Soldier. We applaud your patriotism and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, this country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright and live so free.
You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.
Obituary, visitation and service details:
August 14, 1979 ~ February 17, 2022 (age 42)
Derick Lemond Booker, son of Loretta Archie and Richard Booker, was born August 14, 1979 in Oxford, MS. He was reared by his mother and bonus dad, George Archie.
Derick accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mount Hope Missionary Baptist Church. At Mount Hope, he served on the Junior Usher Board. Later, Derick moved his membership to New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and remained a member until his death. When he went to church, his mom would often joke with him about being “tough as nails” but he “teared up” so easily when hearing certain gospel songs.
“Skip,” as he was affectionately called by his family and friends, received his education from Lafayette County schools and was a part of Lafayette High School’s graduating class of 1997. As a Commodore, he enjoyed playing the sport of football. Also while in high school, Derick developed a friendship and brotherly bond with a group of young men from Lafayette and Oxford High schools and they called themselves TNT (Taylor-n-Thirty). Although the two schools were hometown rivals, this friendship proved to be a lifelong bond amongst these young men.
Derick always exhibited leadership skills and this prompted his enlistment in the United States Army National Guard right after high school. During his military career, he was deployed three times, twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. He served his country with pride and this exuded through the many many accolades he received, including an Iraq Campaign Medal, Bronze Star Medal, 3 Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He was honorably discharged in 2010.
Derick was united in matrimony to Mary Manning.
When he was disharged, Derick tried his hand at working for others but found his niche in being a business owner. He was the owner and operator of Boss Move, a professional moving company that he started along with his business partner, Monte’ Lewis. Together, these gentlemen made ‘boss moves.’ The business thrived and Derick was beyond proud of it.
When he wasn’t working, Derick enjoyed spending time with his family and TNT family. He was an affectionate man, always willing to help anybody in need, mentor to young boys/men in the community, and an all around good guy.
In October 2021, Derick suffered from a sudden illness that would change his life forever, yet he still fought and defied the odds. In January 2022, he fought another round with his illness and perserved once more. On February 17, 2022, Derick fought one last round with his illness, until the very last minute, but this time the Lord whispered to his soilder, “at ease.” And with his loving mother by his side, as she always was, Derick answered his Master’s call. As a friend of his stated, “God gained a real soldier.” His love, loyalty, and kind spirit will be missed by all those he knew.
Left to mourn his death yet cherish his loving memories are Mary Manning Booker of Southaven, MS; his children, D’Ericka, Emonica, Kirsten, and Elexis Booker all of Oxford, MS; parents, Loretta and George Archie and Richard (Vietta) Booker of Taylor, MS; siblings, Lee (Amanda) Booker of Oxford, MS, Patrick Steen of Baldwyn, MS, Davelin Woodard and Devin Booker both of Memphis, TN; nieces and nephews, Qei’Darius, Amarrie, Zaylen, and Zanieya Booker, Markie Dukes (Tyra Lewis) all of Oxford, MS; grandmother, Lovie Bell Green of Oxford, MS; a very special friend, Ga’Veda Pegues of Oxford, MS; TNT family, aunts, Varnesia (Ellis) Orange of Oxford, MS, Sally (Scottie) Miller of Oxford, MS, Virgina (Donald) Moore of Maryland, VA, Sheila Booker of Taylor, MS, and Chyanne Shumpert of Oxford, MS; uncles, James (Anna) Green, Albert (Lena) Booker both of Memphis, TN, Albert (Celeste) Green, Ira Green, Willie (Linda) Booker all of Oxford, MS, and Johnny (Felisha) Booker of Taylor, MS and a host of other relatives and friends.
Derick was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ira Green, Jr. and Robert and Louise Booker.