Marilyn Marie Darnell

Funeral service for Marilyn Marie Darnell, age 85 of Chickasha, will be held at 10am, Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at the College Heights Baptist Church.  Dr. Bryan Haynes will officiate.

Marilyn was born in Naples, Oklahoma, on December 1, 1938, to Elmer and Mary Barrett.  She died on January 25, 2024, at her home in Chickasha.

Marilyn married Albert Elmer Darnell at the College Heights Baptist Church on June 14, 1958.  She was a charter member of College Heights having come from Michigan Avenue as a teenager.  As a charter member, she served in many capacities including teaching second-grade Sunday School for decades and cooking at Falls Creek for 50 years.  She had a passion for kids and feeding people with her home cooking.

Marilyn was a 1957 graduate of Chickasha High School, a 1961 graduate of Oklahoma College for Women (USAO) and a 1974 graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

She taught kindergarten for a total of 38 years: Four years were at a private kindergarten at College Heights and 34 years were at Chickasha Public Schools.  All 34 years at Chickasha were at Southwest Elementary having had morning and afternoon classes resulting in teaching thousands of students.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents, siblings J. M. Barrett, Larry Barrett and infant brother Elmer Barrett, Jr., son-in-law Gary Ledbetter and her husband of 63 years, Albert Darnell.

Marilyn is survived by daughter, Mary-Lynn Ledbetter, sons James Edward Darnell (Becky) and Michael Darnell (Miche').  She is also survived by grandchildren Cari Magee (Matt), Michael Ledbetter, Sarah Winter (Ethan), Leah Rue (Michael), Cooper Darnell and Kennedy Darnell.  She is also survived by great-grandchildren Velvet Magee, Ivy Winter and Ellie Winter.  She is also survived by sisters, Wanda McMasters and Sue Alford, and a host of extended family and friends.

A very special thank you to Lifeline Home Health and Central Oklahoma Home Health for their loving care.  Memorial contributions may be made to College Heights Baptist Church designated Children's Ministry and Youth Falls Creek.

Viewing will be Monday and Tuesday from 9am to 7pm. Burial will be in Fairlawn Cemetery.  Services are under the direction of McRay Funeral Home.