She was born on April 18, 1947 at the home of her parents, William “Bill” and Brittie (Wininger) Boatman in Crowder, Oklahoma. The family moved during her grade school years to McAlester, Oklahoma, where she lived the majority of her life. She then moved to Heavener, Oklahoma area in her later years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Brittie Boatman; her paternal grandparents, Alonzo and Nannie Boatman; her maternal grandparents, Norman “Dutch” and Foy Wininger; her 1st husband and father of her two daughters, Robert “Bob” Bower; and her last husband, Jimmie Runnels.
She is survived by:
Two daughters:
Roberts Lindersmith of Pryor
Rikki Knight and husband Sam of Summerfield, Oklahoma
Her grandchildren:
Aaron and wife Heather of Nowata, Oklahoma
Andrew Lindersmith of Pryor, Oklahoma
Jodie Collins and partner Houston of Sallisaw, Oklahoma
Jewellia Hanson of McAlester, OK
Sammy Knight and life-partner Julia Anderson of Clearbrook, Minnesota
Her great-grandchildren:
Kylie, Bryanna, Gabe, Josh, Hunter, Gunner, Rowen, and Samuel D.
She was of the Baptist faith and a longtime member of First Baptist Church in McAlester. She worked many jobs in her life but talked frequently of being a hairdresser in the late 60’s & early 70’s in McAlester. Darlene also worked at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester and Oaks Rehabilitative Services Center, where she worked many years as a Drug & Alcohol Counselor. She obtained her Master’s degree in General Studies with specializing in Counseling.
Darlene passed away gently and peacefully while holding the hands of her daughters, forming the last circle of love together. She was listening to one of her favorite gospel songs, “How Great Thou Art” as she took her last breath.
Roberta and Rikki want to express and acknowledge our daughter-in-law and niece-in-law, Heather Bower. She stepped up without being asked and freely gave us support, explanations,
and love during this difficult time of our mother’s passing. We can never acknowledge all she did for us and the rest of the family. She was our stable, calming, and rational nurse that allowed us to not think about the medical side of things and allowed us to be totally in our emotions and feeling during this time. Thank you, Heather for being the wonderful human that you are.
Darlene’s wishes are being met by her daughters. She will be cremated at her request with a burial of ashes later in the year when the family and her closest friends are able to meet. She will be laid to rest in the Crowder Cemetery in Crowder, Oklahoma. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener, Oklahoma.
To sign Darlene’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.
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