Darlene Hunsaker Spellings

Born on April 7, 1934, to Albert Wiley Hunsaker and Alma Allen Hunsaker, Darlene grew up in Mountain Grove, Missouri. She left Mountain Grove as an accomplished pianist to study music education at the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri, where she received her degree and was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. After Darlene moved to Dallas to teach music in the Dallas public schools, fate in the form of the US Postal Service stepped in. The mailman mistakenly delivered her bank checks to Jim Spellings’ apartment, who decided to deliver them in person. Jim became the love of her life and they married on December 19, 1957.

Darlene had a lifelong interest in exploring science, the universe and astronomy, and became a devoted patron of the McDonald Observatory. She also loved cooking and entertaining, celebrating birthdays and holidays with good food (including her famous homemade yeast rolls) and lively conversation. Darlene and Jim hosted an annual New Years’ Eve party, to which guests were welcome as long as they left by 10:00 pm. She and Jim also shared a lifelong love of being active: she was a jogger before jogging was prevalent and frequently could be found on the golf course or tennis courts. She was a faithful member of St. Michael and All Angels Church serving in many roles, including President of the Women of St. Michael. She also enjoyed wrapping gifts at the St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange and making meals for residents of the Genesis Women’s Shelter. Darlene was an active member of The Dallas Woman’s Club, and the Junior League of Dallas, among others. Even through her long illness, Darlene maintained her natural grace and style.

Darlene was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Spellings. She is survived by her son Jaime and his wife Margaret, daughter Tracy and her husband Lawrence Watts, five grandchildren, Paul (and wife Katie), Henry (and wife Taylor) and Sarah (and fiancé Don) Spellings, and Adam and Daniel Watts.

A memorial service will be held at St. Michaels and All Angels Episcopal Church on Wednesday, April 20 ,at 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations please be made to Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support, 4411 Lemmon Ave., Dallas, Texas, 75219, or St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 8011 Douglas Ave., Dallas, Texas, 75225, in memory of Darlene Spellings.