Darlene Whitwell

Darlene Whitwell, 92, passed away on Tuesday, December 12, 2023. Darlene was a long time resident of the Dallas Metroplex and resided for over 20 years in Grand Prairie before moving to Cambridge Court Senior Living in Mesquite.

Darlene Voyles Burden Whitwell was born December 2, 1931, in Springfield, IL, to parents Lorraine and Leannah Voyles. Darlene was raised in Dallas, TX, where she graduated from North Dallas High School. After high school, Darlene married Thomas Wayne Burden and raised five children. She worked as a bookkeeper most of her career, and kept financial records for small businesses. In her later years, she married John “JB” Whitwell of Grand Prairie, who she said was the “smile in her eyes.” She believed that God DOES answer prayers.

Darlene was a long-time member of various Methodist churches in the metroplex and was a member of the church choir. She was active in AARP, Golden Age Club. She played the piano and welcomed her grandkids and great-grandkids to play on her own piano. She enjoyed reading the newspaper, doing crossword puzzles, and crocheting doilies and koozies. She was an avid Snoopy fan and loved sharing funny comic newspaper clippings and cards for special occasions with loved ones when she could. Darlene regularly voiced deep pride in her family. For many years, she hosted a family Christmas party for all her children, grandkids and great-grandkids.

A story that Darlene liked to tell was when she was about 8-years-old, her father Lorraine put electricity in their farmhouse in Illinois. He had to run a wire from the main road all the way down to their farmhouse. They had two lights. They were the first farmhouse in the area to have electricity.

Darlene was preceded in death by her husband John “JB” Whitwell, and former husband Thomas Wayne Burden; son, Tommy (Carolyn) Burden; sister, Doris (Charles) Gillespie; son-in-law Danny Bauer; grandchildren, James Erik and Danielle Faith Mastroleo.

She is survived by sons, Steve and wife Pam Burden of Royse City, Bobby and wife Tauna Burden of Arlington; daughters, Nancy Bauer of Commerce, Patti and husband John “Pat” Mastroleo of Forney; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Burden of Athens; grandchildren, James Burden, Johnny Burden, Mike (Kandi) Burden, Krystal (Mike) Regan, Michelle Burden, Gary Lee (Susie) Chappell, Robby Chappell, Kevin Chappell, Sarah (Gary) Roberts, Lois Hawley-Kiest, Rilee Burden, Kendal Burden, Mark (Stephanie) Mastroleo, Christi (Billy) Lind, Carol (Drew) Nimmo, Justin (Molly) Mastroleo, Jaimee (Brandon) Howell.

During her long life, she welcomed twenty-one great-grandchildren, Alex, Freddy, Liam, Cash, Braylee, Katie, Emily, Kenzie, Jake, Nathan, Sean, Amara, Kara, Jason, David, Margo, Ryan, Ethan, Charli, Travis, and Emmy.

In honor of Darlene's love for purple, we ask people to wear a purple accessory to funeral, like a purple tie, shirt or jewelry. This is optional. We look forward to celebrating Darlene's life with you all.