Derek Edwin Binford

Funeral Services for Mr. Derek Edwin Binford Sr,71, of Columbus, Ohio will be 11:00AM Saturday January 3, 2026, at Grace M.B. Church. Inhumation will follow in Thatch-Mann Cemetery. Family will receive friends Saturday January 3, 2026, from 10AM until 11:00AM at Grace M.B. Church. Mr. Binford transitioned December 15, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio.

Obituary DEREK EDWIN BINFORD, a profoundly loving father, devoted brother, and man of unwavering faith, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2025, at the age of 71. He was born on September 22, 1954, in his Cincinnati home on a pile of fresh clean laundry, to the late Mitchell and Janis Bedingfield Binford. From an early age, Derek demonstrated a commitment to his faith and community. At the age of 14, he gave his life to Jesus Christ and was baptized at New Friendship Baptist Church. He carried this deep love for the Lord throughout his entire life. His greatest passion was singing and praising the Lord, and he shared his musical gift as a member of the Gospel singing group
“The O’Neals.” Derek was a proud graduate of Akins High School. After graduation, he started working for Duke Energy, where he continued his dedicated service until his retirement. In January of 1984, Derek married Beverly Crawford, and through this marriage were born three children: Derek Thomas Binford, Bonita Taya Binford, and Joshua Kenneth Binford. Through this union, he built the foundation of his family. Derek lived his life embodying his middle name, Edwin, which comes from the Old English word meaning “friend” or “beloved companion.” He made friends throughout all walks of life, and if you were a friend to him, he treated you as such. He never forgot a birthday and was always ready to help out a friend in need. Although he was born and raised in Cincinnati, he carried a true southern spirit within him a legacy of spending every summer growing up in Athens, Alabama, with his late grandparents, Luther and Nellie Bedingfield. In 2015, Derek returned to Athens, Alabama, to help take care of his father, who at the time was battling Alzheimer’s. He did this staying true to Exodus 20:12, “Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long.” After the passing of his father and, most recently, his mother, Derek’s children moved him back home to Ohio, where they cared for him until he went home with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Derek was preceded in death by his parents, Mitchell and Janis Binford; brother, Otis Glen Cain; and grandparents, Luther and Nellie Bedingfield.
He is survived by his beloved children, Derek Thomas Binford, Bonita Taya Binford, and Joshua Kenneth Binford all of Cincinnati, Ohio; cherished grandchildren, Queen Binford, Harlem Holloway, Amora Binford, Aribella Binford, MaeLeah Martin, and Malakai Martin; and his four devoted siblings, Sharon (Mitchell) Grigsby of Athens, AL; Joyce (Bobby) Grizzard of Athens, AL:
Mitchell, Binford of Cincinnati, Oh; and Kenneth (Stephanie) Binford of Decatur, AL; and a host of many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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