Darnell Currie Jr. was a football player at heart and a curious third grader.
A’millah Currie loved watching the children’s cartoon, Bluey, and playing hide-and-seek.
Their funeral on Thursday captured their childhood. Stuffed animals surrounded 2-year-old A’millah in her pink casket, much smaller than the one carrying 9-year-old Darnell Jr. Bluey characters, a football helmet and framed jersey — number 19 — were placed near the two children who died last week after apparently freezing to death while they slept in a van downtown.
Inside the Triumph Church in Detroit, kids in pink hair bows and football jerseys said their final goodbyes. Song and prayer enveloped about 150 mourners as they paid their respects.
“We never assume that we’re going to bury our children. We assume that our children are going to live longer than us or they’re going to bury us,” Pastor Solomon Kinloch said in his eulogy.
Darnell Jr. and A’millah were “the heart and soul of their family, bringing laughter, love, and joy to everyone who knew them,” according to their obituary.
Darnell Jr. was described as a bright spirit at his elementary school, “full of energy, laughter, and a playful nature.” He was known for his fun-loving personality and infectious smile. He loved video games — especially NBA 2K — and playing football.
“A true athlete at heart, he had a deep love for football, playing for the Detroit Titans 9U team, where he ended the season with an impressive 8-3 win streak,” his obituary read.
He adored his little sister and played with her for hours, “sharing silly moments, and watching YouTube videos.”
The Ecorse Public School district sent its condolences, remembering Darnell Jr. as a kind and determined student. He brought light and laughter to his school.
And for a little girl, A’millah, known as “YaYa,” had a big personality, filling “every room with love and laughter,” playing games and running around with her cousins. She was known for her playfulness and charm. Her favorite treat was McDonalds and “candy was always a part of her day.”
Darnell Jr. and A’millah “shared an unbreakable bond, bringing happiness to their family and those around them. Though their time here was far too short, their love, laughter, and light will live on forever in the hearts of those who knew them,” their obituary said.
On Wednesday, mourners attended a public visitation at the New McFall Brothers Funeral Home in Detroit. People who knew the family and did not, visited the children, reflecting on the need to care for one another and hoping the city paid more attention to homelessness.
A mother, with four of her children, and their grandmother, with one of her children, were unhoused and sheltering in a van when they entered the parking garage of Hollywood Casino at Greektown around 1 a.m. Feb. 10, according to police.
Two of the mother’s children died and police believe they froze to death. The Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office hasn’t released an official cause of death yet. The investigation could take several months, said Dr. LokMan Sung, Wayne County’s Chief Medical Examiner, in a statement on Thursday.
Before the tragedy, the family had reached out to the city’s homeless response team at least three times, the latest in November, Duggan said during a news conference last week. The mother reportedly called multiple shelters as well but was told they were full.
Duggan requested the city and its housing department investigate what went wrong and how they could prevent a tragedy like this from happening again. That review is underway. The mayor is expected to receive a copy of that report early next week.
The New McFall Brothers Funeral Home is providing funeral services for the family at no cost. The city of Detroit has been helping coordinate the visitation and funeral services, according to a news release last week.
Free Press staff writer Andrea May Sahouri contributed to this report.
Contact Nushrat Rahman: nrahman@freepress.com. Follow her on X: @NushratR.