Darlene Joy Lyon, 51 years of age, of Olathe, KS ended her battle with cancer and went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017. It was from her Olathe home while in the presence of her loving family that she transitioned from this home to the next.
Darlene was born to Reverend Leon and Janet Jackson in Ponca City, OK on March 28th, 1965. From Ponca City she moved as a child with her father and mother and two younger brothers to pastorates in Phoenix, AZ, Greeneville, TN and then a second stint in Ponca City. Darlene also developed a close relationship with her older brother John in her early years.
Throughout her life Darlene excelled in music, music ministry, and academics. She was selected as Valedictorian of her high school graduating class and received a bachelors degree in Management and Human Relations from Mid-America Nazarene University. She and her husband Jeff also spent well over 33 years in Christian Music Ministry. Both Darlene and Jeff as excellent vocalists and instrumentalists, Darlene in particular excelling in piano and keyboards, ministered domestically and internationally in a variety of venues.
Next only to her Lord and her husband, Darlene loved her five children with all her heart. She was a devoted, sacrificial, intentional and sincere mother dearly loved by each of her children and she will be sorely missed.
Darlene was preceded in death by her father Leon and is survived by her mother Janet, her husband Jeff of the home, her son Nick of the home, daughters Lindsey, Bethany, Abigail, and Sarah of the home, brother John Jackson of Buckeye, AZ, brother David Jackson of Sand Springs, OK and brother Matthew Jackson of Lewisburg, TN. She is also survived by many wonderful nieces, nephews, and cousins too numerous to mention.
On Sunday March 26th, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. a viewing will be held at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home at 14275 S. Black Bob Road in Olathe, KS 66062.
On Monday March 27th at 10:00 a.m. a celebration service of Darlene's life will be held at Life Mission Church, 16111 S. Lone Elm Road in Olathe, KS 66062.
Memorials are suggested to Mountaintop Marriages,
http://www.mountaintopmarriages.org/