OCALA, FL (352today.com) – If you saw Dr. Darrell Tobert‘s resume, you would say he was an overachiever.
Tolbert recently recognized as Citizen of the Month by the Ocala City Council, has a remarkable story of triumph over adversity, shaped by faith and determination.
Growing up in a family of nine, Tolbert learned the value of competition and perseverance early on. As a standout athlete, he excelled in football, baseball, and basketball, earning 15 trophies. Despite his achievements, Tolbert’s journey took an unexpected turn.
“I always strived to be the best,” said Tolbert.
Tolbert joined the U.S. Army, hoping military service would lead to a career in law enforcement.
“Even when I went into the military (U.S. Army), I achieved in the military too. I knew God existed, but it wasn’t until I came home from the military that I had the intention of becoming a police officer,” said Tolbert. “That’s the reason I went into the military—I wanted to achieve that goal, to become a police officer. My two oldest brothers had gotten on crack cocaine. My sister Sharon—I’ll never forget this—came to me, it had to be in the ninth grade, and she said, ‘Darrell, we’ll buy you anything, just don’t turn out like your two brothers.'”
Product of the surrounding environment
Returning home, Tolbert encountered racism and an environment that derailed his ambitions. Immersed in the narcotics trade, Tolbert faced arrest at 21 and a daunting prison sentence.
“I became a drug dealer, and once I was busted, the first time, I remember they were trying to give me this outlandish plea bargain that was crazy because it was only my first arrest, four to five years in prison, no less than four no more than five,” Tolbert says.
God’s grace
It was someone who advised Tolbert to take his case to trial, even though he knew he was guilty. Now, he reflects on why those events unfolded the way they did.
“I remember being in there. They had taken all of these guns out of my house; they were passing them around. I had all these sales of cocaine charges against me. When the jury went to deliberate, I remember sitting in the cell and saying these words: ‘God, never in my life have I questioned Your existence. But if You are real, I need You to do something. Show me Your power; do something to let me know You exist,'” Tolbert shares.
“God is my witness—that cell heated up so hot, I knew something was in there. I said, ‘Oh my God!’ I went back to the courtroom, and I beat those weapon charges. Only God could have done that—they had those 13 guns. The description in The Bible says, ‘Before any man can come to God, they must first believe that He exists.’ God was setting up a foundation, and now I know there is a God—not because the pastor told me, not because of The Bible, but because I witnessed something.”
“I started studying. I wrote my first book, Why Am I in Prison? These six years and five months, the first time going to prison, there was a lot of injustice done to me,” said Tolbert. “God allowed the injustice. I got out Feb. 20, 1999. All of the degrees came in the span of once I got out. I was able to accomplish all of these things once I got out of prison.”
The consequences of his imprisonment weighed heavily on him, teaching humility and providing the motivation to become the man God intended.
“I embarrassed my family so bad,” Tolbert admitted. “They were so disappointed. They were so hurt. Corrections officers would come to me and say, ‘Darrell, what are you doing in here? Your mom and dad didn’t raise you like this.’ I believe subconsciously a 21-year-old boy wanted to prove to his parents and his family that I am that guy. I think a lot of my achievements were me trying to prove, yes, this is the guy who you believed in.”
Part two of Dr. Darrell Tolbert’s story continues tomorrow.