Darlett Lenker

Darlett Lenker, 93 years young, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2025, in Baytown, Texas. Born on May 23, 1932, in Royston, Georgia, Darlett was the daughter of Lenar Ratliff. She grew up in Kannapolis, North Carolina, where she met and married Hoyle Chapman. They shared 26 years together and were blessed with two daughters, Charline Chapman Tafflinger and Vickie Chapman Kelly.
Darlett later married Clayton Lenker on May 31, 1975, and they remained happily together until his passing on August 8, 2010. She lived in Jacinto City for 50 years before moving to Crosby, Texas, where she happily spent 13 years of her life. She moved to Baytown where she lived for the remainder of her life. Darlett was a proud and devoted member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter #1058, having been elected to receive the degrees in October 1962. She served as Worthy Matron twice-during 1967–1968 and again in 2004–2005. She deeply cherished the friendships she made through the Eastern Star, and the poem she selected for her first term reflected her enduring affection:
My hand clasped in your hand
Is a symbol for all to see
That when our paths merge and meet
Our friendship is pure and free.
Our hands clasped with others
Is symbolic near and far
That the friendships in our Chapter
Add greater lustre to our Star.
The hand of friendship e'er extended
Is compared to the lamplight glow.
The love we give, like the gold rays,
Is shared by all the folks we know.
- M. Bailey
Darlett was also a talented painter, finding great joy and peace in her art. Over the years, she became quite accomplished, exploring a wide range of subjects. She continued to paint with passion and creativity throughout her life. She is survived by her half-sister, Linda Coleman; daughters Charline Chapman Tafflinger and Vickie Chapman Kelly; stepson Daniel Lenker; grandchildren Kevin Allnutt, Eric Pryor, Amanda Speegle Davis, Merry Alix Kelly, and Emma Kelly Irish; and great-grandchildren Reese Allnutt, Ian Allnutt, Kelsey Pryor, Vance Pryor, Miller Speegle, Jase Speegle, and Bailey Grace Davis, Ainsley Fair Irish and Hart West Irish. Darlett will be remembered for her warmth, creativity, and the love she shared with family and friends. Her life was a beautiful expression of kindness, grace, and enduring friendship.
A Celebration of Darlett Lenker's Life will be celebrated at Blackwell & Vazquez Woodforest Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday October 11, 2025. The viewing will begin at 12pm with a service to begin at 1pm officiated by Rev Vance Jenkins Officiating. A funeral procession will follow to San Jacinto Memorial Park at 2:30pm.
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