Darlene Marlow

Darlene was born October 23, 1933, to George and Mollie L’Roy in Durant, Oklahoma, where she lived until 1946, when her family relocated to Lawton, Oklahoma. She married Luther Harrison Marlow on April 16, 1949, a beautiful marriage and partnership which lasted for 60 years until his death. To this union four children were born: Michael Harrison Marlow; Molly Terronez of Hurst, Texas; Mary Rice of Edmond, Oklahoma; and Melissa Farelli of Lawton, Oklahoma.

Darlene was a member of the Church of Christ all her life and her unwavering faith was the source of inspiration for her family and countless friends. She had faith not only in God, but in mankind. She could always find the good in people and her example encouraged and guided many to Christ and spirituality.

She had many talents and creative interests. She read daily, usually a book a day. Darlene enjoyed mysteries, and in the 1970s she started with “A” authors and read every book in that section at the Lawton Public Library. Her love of reading flowed over to a gift of writing. She wrote poetry, short stories, inspiration lessons, two books, and a weekly column for the Walter’s Herald. She had magazine publications in Christian Woman, Women’s World, as well as others. She lectured and held in-depth classes on the subject of women of the Bible. Her love of history led her into researching her genealogy, a passion shared by both Luther and Darlene.

Also, Darlene was an artist, focusing on landscapes and still-life oil painting. She was a seamstress, and excellent cook, but enjoyed hosting and being with her friends and guests rather than in the kitchen.

She was always a little ahead of her time, like having a career in the 1960s when it was frowned upon for a wife and mother to work outside the home. She worked as a bookkeeper at Sears and Roebuck, Katy K Meat Packing, and Ralston’s Furniture. Later she was a Realtor for Finley’s Realty until she retired in the late 1970s to care for her aging parents. She was always well-liked and respected by her co-workers.

In 1996, Luther and Darlene moved to Walters, Oklahoma, where she was active in the community, her church, and owned an antique shop. The couple relocated to Edmond, Oklahoma, in 2006, where she lived until her death. She was a member of the Wilshire Church of Christ.

First and foremost, she was devoted to her family. She was a blessing to her children and nine grandchildren: David Terronez, Clay Terronez, Andrew Rice, Peter Rice, Rachel (Rice) Snider, Elizabeth (Rice) Goodpasture, Leah Rice, Kara (Oest) Smith, and Kevin Oest. She had 20 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren as well as many nephews and nieces with whom she shared a special bond.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Luther Harrison Marlow; son Michael Harrison Marlow; her parents and eight siblings: Lavester L’Roy, Lenoir L’Roy Kelley, Elmer L’Roy, Bedford L’Roy, Marcella L’Roy, Orvis L’Roy, and Georgia May L’Roy.

Funeral services are scheduled for 1:00 pm, Friday, April 11, 2025 at Wilshire Church of Christ under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors. Interment will be at 3:30 pm, following the funeral service, at Highland Cemetery in Lawton, Oklahoma.