Darlene Carter

Darlene was born on October 15, 1925 to Lloyd Strickland and Dora Strickland in Kansas City, Missouri, and was the youngest of two children.

Darlene was raised and educated in the Kansas City School District. She attended R.T. Coles Junior High School, and graduated from Lincoln High School in January of 1943 at the age of 16. She made Kansas City her home with the exception of her remaining in Marietta, Georgia with her eldest son and daughter-in-law.

Darlene was a member of the Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri, and an active member on the Usher Board. She was an avid reader, and was quite knowledgeable when it came to local/state/national news. And for many years, she was actively involved as a local, state, and national elections poll worker. Darlene was also an exceptional cook - especially when it came to baking lemon meringue pies, pineapple upside down cake, oxtail/vegetable soup, homemade chili, "home brew" (beer). She loved both jazz and blues music, and at one time both she and her husband owned a laundry mat at the corner of thirty-first street and Prospect in Kansas City. In addition, she served as a member of the Citizens' Crusade Against Crime, the "neighborhood watch" initiative, and "block mother". In addition, Darlene was an accomplished seamstress, frequently using her talents to make her own clothes and for others.

Darlene is preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, James Dale Carter Sr. (a 1921 Tulsa Riot Survivor, and decorated World War II Veteran), and her brother, Robert Strickland. Darlene will forever be remembered by her two sons, James (Jimmy) D. Carter Jr. (and wife, Constance) - Marietta, Georgia, and Gerald (Jerry) Carter - Kansas City, Missouri; her nephew, Robert Strickland - Rocklin, California; grandchildren Gerald Turner Sr., Sonya Carter, Marcel D. Carter, Dr. Akilah R. Carter-Francique, Deon (Hollis) Barnes, Kevin Hollis, Vanessa (Hollis) Dunn; a host of cousins, and many great-grand- children and great-great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held Monday March 2, 2026, 10:30 am at Watkins Heritage Chapel. visitation from 9:30am -10:30am at the chapel. Interment Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, Ka. Services conducted by Watkins Heritage Chapel. Condolences may be share on our website.