Darlene J. Ross, the daughter of Lewis James Rogers and Doris Hazel (Beach) Rogers, was born on March 17, 1931 in Saginaw, Michigan and died on October 21, 2017 at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing Center, Dexter, MO at the age of 86. She was a resident of Dexter, MO. 

On March 27, 1948 she married Delmer R. Barks near Lowndes, MO. To this union, God answered her prayers, blessing her with three children Doris, Delmer and Kevin.

On February 18, 1983 Darlene married Donald E. Ross at Dexter, MO and two daughters were added to her love; Sherri Ross and Mary Ross.

Darlene was a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ and baptized into the Kingdom of God on September 27, 1952 by Bro. Lewis Rogers near Shook, MO. She was a member of the Community Church of Christ near Lowndes, MO and the Ladies Club of the church. She was also a member of the Missouri State Teachers Association, Missouri Speech & Hearing Association, Missouri Retired Teachers Association and the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.

She received her B.S. Degree in Education and M.A. Degree in Speech Pathology from SEMO University, Cape Girardeau, MO. She was a teacher and speech pathologist for 36-years and a consultant for 5-years. She was named in “Who’s Who of Child Development Professionals” and also named in the 1976-77 edition of “Notable Americans”. 

Darlene was a genuine lady and a helper, supporter and encourager to all the lives she touched with her love, smile and kind words.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband Don Ross of the home; one daughter, Doris Jane McAnally and her husband Larry of East Benard, Texas; two sons, Delmer R. Barks and his wife Debbie of Lowndes, MO and Kevin L. Barks and his wife Tera of Dexter, MO; two step-daughters, Mary (Ross) Williamson and her husband Chris of Bloomfield, MO and Sherri (Ross) Fowler of Dexter, MO. She is survived by 14-Grandchildren: Susan Renee Talas, Christopher Wayne McAnally, D. Ryan Barks, Phillip E. Barks, Jamie Hyslop, Glen Rodgers, Nicholas Barks, Chelsea Barks, Tasha Rodgers, Jessie Cobb, Nathan McDonald, Brandon McDonald, Dustin Fowler and Kodie Dement; and 21 Great-Grandchildren.

She is also survived by one brother, Jack W. Rogers and his wife Geraldine A. (Peterman) of Lowndes, MO; one sister, Lottie J. Meese of Advance, MO and one sister-in-law, Ellare J. (Hollingsworth) Rogers of Lowndes, MO.

She was preceded in death by her parents; six brothers and three sisters: Russell J. McLean, Charles E. Rogers, Sherman C. Rogers, Dorothy M. Billingsley, Leona M. Chubb, Lewis J. Rogers, Jr., Annabel V. Schearer, Richard L. Rogers and Arthur J. Rogers.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home, Dexter, MO.

Visitation and funeral service will be at the Community Church of Christ, Hwy Rte. “P”, Lowndes, MO on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 with visitation from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and the funeral service following at 11:00 AM.

Interment will be at the Community Church of Christ Cemetery.

Officiating will be Bro. Jack Rogers, Bro. Dale Rogers and Bro. Jeremy Rogers.

A fellowship luncheon will be served at the church immediately following the service. Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home, Dexter, MO. is in charge of all arrangements.