Mildred Carlene Dacus

Mildred Carlene Dacus was born June 26, 1938, in Mena Arkansas to Opal and Carl Howard. She passed away peacefully March 11, 2026. She was 87 years old.

Carlene, as most people called her, graduated from Lindsey High School, Lindsey, Oklahoma. She was a telephone operator in her local town where she lived with her family.

Carlene met the love of her life, Clarence Roy Dacus, in Lindsey, Oklahoma, where they both grew up. They were married for 62 years before his death on August 29, 2018.

In 1967, Carlene and Clarence moved their family to Cyril, Oklahoma, when Clarence began working at the APCO oil refinery. During those early years in Cyril, Carlene stayed busy babysitting for local families and caring for her own.

After a few years, Carlene decided to pursue a career of her own and enrolled in beauty school in Lawton, Oklahoma. Once she completed her training, she began working at a local beauty shop owned by Viola Urban. Before long, Viola sold the shop to Carlene, and Carlene proudly ran the beauty shop for many years, forming lasting friendships with the many people who sat in her chair.

Later in life, Carlene felt called to care for others in a different way. She attended the Fort Cobb Vo-Tech, where she earned her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certification. Carlene then went to work at the Cyril Nursing Home, where she devoted her time to caring for residents and serving her community with kindness and compassion.

Carlene was a member of the Cyril Church of Christ. Carlene was a loving and caring daughter to her parents, whom she took care of in their later years. She loved & cared for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Carlene is survived by her three children: daughter Pamela & Harold Talbert of Cyril, Oklahoma, son Steven & Chris Dacus of Fletcher, Oklahoma, and daughter Rebecca (Becky) & James Darnell of Haysville, Kansas; ten grandchildren: Travis & Jo Ressa Rucker, Kiel & Kristi Talbert, Tyson Talbert, Blake & Nikki Dacus, Davin & Jessica Dacus, Jessica Marie Dacus, Seth & Julie Brown, Isaac & Alysha Brown, Sarah & Ethan Winter and Leah & Michael Rue.

Carlene was blessed with twenty great-grandchildren: Kolten Talbert, Kenzie Talbert, Rylee Rucker, Delanie Rucker, Tyler & Stacia Gorden, Aubrey Dacus, Clayton Jenkins, Declan Dacus, Denni Dacus, Hannah Evans, Taylon Dacus, Nova Dacus, Leon Dacus, Brody Brown, Isabel Brown, Breanna Brown, Rhett Brown, Adelaide Brown, Ivy Winter and Ellie Winter.

Carlene was preceded in death by her parents, Opal and Carl Howard, her husband, Clarence Dacus and her daughter, Karen Brown.