Darlene McClelland Lewis went to be with the Lord on May 27, 2022.  She was born on Feb 11, 1940 in Shelbyville, Texas to the late Eugene and Luceal (Williams) McClelland. Darlene was the youngest girl of six sisters and five brothers.

Darlene attended school in Jacksonville, Texas where she graduated from Fred Douglass High School in 1958. She was a 1963 Cum Laude graduate of Texas College in Tyler, Texas.  She continued her graduate educational path at Stephen F. Austin University where she received her Master of Education degree and graduated with honors.  Obtaining an education was a value instilled in her by her parents and was important to her. She was the first in her family to receive a college degree.  Ms. Lewis always encouraged her nieces, nephews and community children to strive for excellence and obtain an education.

Ms. Lewis started her 43-year teaching career in Kerns, Texas and Henderson, Texas before finding her teaching home with Tyler ISD for the final 31 years. In addition to the classroom, she worked six-months as an assistant principal at Stewart Middle School and was their first Teacher of the Year. Her final years with Tyler ISD were spent at Robert E. Lee High School until she retired in 2006. Many will remember Ms. Lewis pouring knowledge and wisdom into the minds of students, parents, and staff.

Darlene was a dedicated member at St. James C.M.E. in Tyler, TX. where she was a member of the missionary, Sunday School, and Stewardess Board. She also served as the Director of Youth and Young Adults for the Central Texas Region.  She was an instrumental part of the church planning and organizing various programs and events, while serving as the Director of the Board of Christian Education.

Darlene was a highly respected member of the Gamma Omicron Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She served two terms as president, was delighted to assist with coordinating the sewing of 154 pillowcase dresses for children in Liberia.  For years, until her health limited her involvement, she was the Chairperson for the Fashionetta®, a scholarship fundraiser for the chapter. This special event recognizes young females for their achievements and encourages the young ladies and their families to become involved in community service and seek higher education.

Upon retirement, she started working as the Resident Center Manager in the female dormitory on the campus of Texas College. Darlene worked from 1982 until 2018 with the Summer Food Program where she traveled throughout East Texas covering over 70 sites helping feed children. Without this program many children would have been without meals for the summer. She was also a current or former member of various other community organizations such as: The East Texas Chapter of the Links, Incorporated; Texas College Alumni Association; Fred Douglass Alumni Association; and Women in Tyler™. Darlene's devotion to community service was evidenced by the Proclamation of Darlene Lewis Day by the City of Tyler on April 27, 2013.

She was preceded in death by brothers, Joe Neal (Catherine), L.C. (Essie), Cleodis and Henry Earl McClelland; and sisters Mary Maudis Kauffman (C.D.), Maude Walker Larry, Gloria Faye Sanders and Allie June Scott and brother-in-law Warren Hawkins.

She leaves to cherish her memories, her two sisters Effie Hawkins, Marshall, TX and Annie Pearl Blanton, Jacksonville, TX, brother-in-law Freddie Scott, Jacksonville, TX, and all of her beloved nieces, nephews, God-children, cousins, church family, sorority sisters, special friends (you know who you are) and friends.

Even though she was not a birth mother; to her many "children" in the family, church, schools and community she was "Moma Lewis", Aunt Doll and Doll Baby. She will be missed immensely but her philosophy: "If I can help somebody as I travel along life's roads, then my living will not be in vain", will live on in those that she touched and in the communities she served.