Darlene Young

Gloria Darlene Young, age 76, long-time resident of Marland, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully at her home with her family by her side May 5, 2025.

Darlene was born on December 7, 1948, in Ponca City, Oklahoma to Merle Eugene and Francis Lela (Short) Jones. Darlene was raised in the Kildare and Ponca City areas. She met and married the love of her life, Lawrence Lynn Young on April 6, 1968, in Ponca City, Oklahoma. To this union Larry and Darlene had four children. They made their home in Ponca City until April 1985 when they moved to Marland, Oklahoma. Darlene was married to the love of her life for 51 wonderful years.

Darlene worked in various restaurants in Ponca City after her children were in school. She loved to cook and have everyone over on Sundays and holidays for dinner. Darelene loved her family and cherished spending time with them and having adventures. She loved camping and fishing, playing cards, bowling, listening to her oldies, especially Elvis, and listening to her family sing. She loved raising her family and enjoying time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Our mom was dedicated to making sure her children were responsible, respectful, and productive adults. She always had our backs and stood up for us. Mom always made sure we knew how much we were loved and always took really good care of us and everyone else around her. She always made sure you had enough to eat, and if you ever left hungry, it was your own fault. She always made enough to feed an Army and then some.

Darlene is survived by her daughters, Tina (Gary) Welch of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Michelle Young of Newkirk, Oklahoma; one son, Travis (Chastity) Young of Marland, Oklahoma; her nine grandchildren, Tyson (Kandis) Wardlow, Tyler (Dasha) Wardlow, Teonna (Donald) Wardlow, Tanner Young, Tiffany Young, Tessa (Braxton) Wardlow, Tiara Wardlow, Thristan (Jacob) Young, and Hannah Welch; 19 great grandchildren; 2 sisters; 3 brothers; and numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, great aunt, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Preceding her in death are her husband, Lawrence Lynn Young; one son, Larry Wayne Young; her parents, Merle Eugen and Francis Lela Jones; one sister, Darla Jean Gillespie; daughter-in-law, Amy Young; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and brothers-in-law.

There will be a time for viewing for Darlene on May 11, 2025, from 2:00-4:00 pm at Grace Memorial Chapel, 2016 N 14th St, Ponca City, Oklahoma. Darlene’s funeral will be at 2:00 pm, Monday, May 12, 2025, also at Grace Memorial Chapel with her committal service following at Ponca City Odd Fellows Cemetery. Pastor Justin Pickup will be presiding over the services.

The family wishes to pass along their thanks to the amazing nurses, Kim, Bailey, Melissa, Barbara, Matt and Carlena with Hospice of North-Central Oklahoma and Walley with Lincare.

Words of encouragement and messages of condolence may be left for the family online at www.gracememorialchapel.net. Darlene’s services are under the care of Grace Memorial Chapel in Ponca City, Oklahoma.