Darleen Lancaster

With her family by her side, Darleen peacefully went to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 24, 2010 at Hendrick Medical Center. She was 88 years old.

Born Melba Darleen Leonard to James Austin and Laura Alta Hughes Leonard on November 12, 1921 at home in Woodson, Texas. She graduated from Woodson High School. She married her best friend, J. D. Lancaster, on January 14, 1964 after he returned home from World War II. Penwell was home and where they made lifelong friendships during the first years of their life together. In 1964, they made their home in Odessa, Texas. Then they moved on to Abilene in the summer of 1992. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in January, 1996. J. D. preceded her in death on April 13, 1998.

Darleen began her love for oil painting after she retired from J.C. Penney in Odessa. It was probable during her latter years that she could not recall the names of those she loved dearly, but she could still quote scripture and sing hymns. She was a member of the Wylie church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her husband, J. D., her parents, Austin and Laura Leonard and two brothers, Royce and Doyle Leonard. She is survived by her son, Dee Lancaster and wife Dana of Portales, New Mexico, her daughter, Melba McCollough and husband Richard of Abilene six grandchildren, Mark Lancaster and wife Sarah of Lubbock Paul Lancaster of Portales Adam McCollough and wife Jennifer of Flower Mound April Lasater and husband Daniel of San Antonio Brittany Hahn and husband Dennis of Wichita Falls and Ryan McCollough and wife Kerri of Abilene ten greatgrandchildren, Kayla, Ashley and Dylan Lancaster Automne, Caroline, and Sterling McCollough Abbey and J.D. Lasater Makenzie Hahn and Rylee McCollough, two sisters, Joyce Campbell of Lubbock and Martha Hightower of Oklahoma City and several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

A special Thank You to Dr. Robert Striegler and his nurses, Nancy and Shirley and the Hendrick Hospice group for their special care. What a blessing they were to our family during this sad and difficult time.

A more devoted Christian wife, mother, teacher, and friend the world has never known. Her gracious spirit and legacy of love will live on in her children, grandchildren, and the many lives she touched.

The family will receive guests at the funeral home from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Monday, January 25th. Service will be at 11:00 AM Tuesday, January 26th in the Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel, 5750 U. S. Hwy 277 South with Ryan Goodwin and Dee Lancaster officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park.

Pallbearers are her grandsons Mark, Paul, Adam, Ryan, Daniel, and Dennis.

Psalms 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Monday, January 25, 2010
6:00 to 8:00 PM

Service

Chapel Service

Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
11:00 AM

Cemetery

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606