Betty Darlene Christian, known to all as Darlene, passed away in her home in Marion, Texas Friday, June 25, 2021.  Darlene was born February 20, 1943 in San Antonio, Texas to Cecil & Faye McMurrey.

She was married to Buddy Christian for nearly 40 years until he passed in 2001.  Years later, she met Ralph on a blind date set-up by her sister, Janice and her husband George.  It didn't take long for Darlene to fall in love with Ralph's sweet, gentle nature and their common interests.  She loved to travel, make frequent deposits at the casino, bowl, dance, shop 'til she dropped, and was always ready for a party or family gathering.  She was very protective of those she loved, even when they were wrong.  Family was everything to her and she traveled halfway across the country in a memorable road trip for her grandson's Army boot camp graduation and flew to another country to attend her grandson's wedding.  She worked with her sister, Janice, for many years at Farmer's Insurance.  For a few years, she worked at the same company as her daughter Cindy and niece Linda Oliver.  The company events were so much fun with her around and her office mates still tell stories about her today.

Darlene was preceded in death by her husband Buddy Christian, parents Cecil & Faye McMurrey, and brother Nelson McMurrey.  She is survived by her children: son Randy Christian and wife Cyndi, daughter Cindy Holcombe and husband James, daughter Sandra Hutchinson and husband Kevin; and grandchildren Ryan, Kirby and Tyler Cromeans and his wife Aeriel.

She is also survived by her loving partner of many years, Ralph Reininger and his family:  son Brian Reininger and wife Sherron and their children - Angela Etheredge and husband Michael and their children Jacob, Reagan and Colton; Christopher Lowther and partner Bryan; Rebecca Nyul, Brody Reininger, Brittany Nyul and Ashlyn Reininger.  Ralph's son Kevin Reininger and his children Reed and Kash Reininger.  Ralph's daughter Tammie Zook and her children – Chad Zook and wife Rebekah and their children Kay, Audrey, and Dale.

Darlene is also survived by her sister Janice Koltermann and husband George, sister Brenda Rinehart and husband Jerry, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Roger and Linda Christian, Jimmy and Anne Christian, Peggy Cameron, and Evelyn McMurrey as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 29, 2021 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Tres Hewell Mortuary. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at 10 a.m. at Tres Hewell Mortuary with interment to follow at Pace Stancil Memorial Rest Garden in Cleveland, Texas at 4 p.m.