Barbra Darleen Sanders

Darleen was born on March 26, 1943, to Fred and Faye Reynolds in Stidham, OK. The youngest of seven children, Darleen was beloved by her older siblings and, despite being a child herself, took pride in “mothering” her nieces and nephews.

After graduating from Ceres High School, Darleen married Perry Sanders in December of 1961. They went on to have four children, Jeffrey, Lea, Gregory, and Shelia, as well as 8 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. Her greatest joy was her family and she delighted in making memories with them.

As her children grew older, Darleen opened a home daycare where she dedicated 22 years to nurturing the imagination of countless little ones. She was adored by her ‘kids,’ and is best remembered for her holiday events (most notably when she would dress up as Santa to hand out gifts) and the oatmeal she made that tasted like warm cookies.

Known for her sweet tooth, Darleen could always be persuaded to share a dessert, especially if ice cream was involved. She was renowned for her Chocolate & Biscuits, an old family breakfast recipe, and never turned down an opportunity to teach someone how to make it.

Darleen loved to travel and was always up for an adventure. She visited five continents, explored much of the United States, and specialized in epic road trips. She usually didn’t have a plan which led to some amusing predicaments, but she would lean heavily into her “everything will just work out” attitude, and it always did.

Darleen was preceded in death by her daughter Lea Sheree Sanders. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Perry Sanders; her children, Jeff Sanders (Mindy), Greg Sanders (Carrie), and Shelia Curten (Dale); her grandchildren, Amanda Bristol (Seth), Anthony Sanders, Brandon Sanders (Roxanne), Courtney Sanders, Sabrina Sanders, Alexa Sanders, Makenzi Rutherford (Dillon Moore), and Jake Sanders; her great-grandchildren, Karis, Celeste, Robynne, Chyenne, Destiny, and Daemon; and her sister, Doris Hyder.

She will be deeply missed by all who loved her.