Deon Derrico Shares Heartfelt Update Amid Family Struggles
In a recent social media post, Deon Derrico, star of Doubling Down With The Derricos, offered prayers for his sister as the family navigates a particularly challenging time.
A Year of Challenges for the Derricos
The past year has been undeniably tough for the Derrico family. Deon’s mother, GiGi, has been battling cancer and recently decided to stop chemotherapy, a choice fraught with its own difficulties. Adding to the family’s heartache, they suffered a significant loss in July when Deon’s nephew, Amani Barkley, passed away. Compounding their struggles, Deon and Karen are still dealing with the complexities of their divorce. As 2025 begins, Deon took to Instagram to share his heartfelt thoughts and prayers for his sister.
Remembering Amani on His Birthday
Following the tragic loss of his nephew, Deon reached out to fans to update them on the situation. He shared, “Amani, as many of you know, was the son of my late brother Christopher S. Turner and Stacey Dickey,” reflecting on the profound impact of Amani’s passing.
On January 24, Deon posted a tribute to his sister Stacey, acknowledging the pain of facing Amani’s first birthday since his death. “My only nephew was born on 1/24/1998,” he wrote, inviting fans to join him in sending prayers. “Sending prayers up to my sister Stacey, as this is Amani’s first birthday living in Heaven 💔💔.”
To accompany his post, Deon included a moving photo from Amani’s memorial service alongside a cherished baby picture, emphasizing the heartbreak of continuing life without him. The background featured the song “Missing You” by Brandy, Tamia, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan, with poignant lyrics that resonated with their grief:
“Now that you’re gone, every day I go on,
But life’s just not the same.
I’m so empty inside, and my tears I can’t hide,
But I’ll try, I’ll try to face the pain.”
Amani’s Legacy and Impact
Deon understands the weight of experiencing “firsts” after losing a loved one, and he recognizes the significance of this day for Stacey. Tragically, Amani also left behind a one-year-old son, Adonis. In the wake of his passing, Deon helped raise nearly $18,000 on GoFundMe to support Amani’s family with medical expenses related to his long battle with Autoimmune Hepatitis. Diagnosed at 14, Amani underwent a liver transplant at 21 but required another transplant a year later. Unfortunately, his body was too weak to endure a third procedure. Despite the family’s hopes for a miracle, Amani’s life came to an untimely end.
As the Derricos face these overwhelming challenges, Deon’s heartfelt updates remind fans of the strength of family bonds and the support they offer one another during difficult times.