Obituary published on Legacy.com by Wooster Funeral Home and Cremation Services - Pauls Valley on Sep. 30, 2025.
Nancy Darlene Brian was born September 13, 1936 in Clovis, New Mexico and died September 29, 2025 in Wynnewood, Oklahoma at the age of 89. She was the second of two children born to Russell (Rusty) Edgar Brian and Elizabeth Nell (Burk) Brian. Her only sibling, Russell Eugene Brian was born January 5, 1935 in Clovis, New Mexico. At the age of 9 Darlene took piano lessons until she graduated from high school. Her teacher encouraged her to sing along on the songs as she practiced and thus, she learned the different parts of a son. When, as a sophomore, she tried out for the choir in high school, the choir master put her in the elite G Clef Choir comprised of only 15 Juniors and Seniors. She was also a member of the piano and church in Clovis and since she and B.R. moved to Oklahoma, she has been pianist and/or organist for the Valley Christian Church in Pauls Valley. Some of her favorite gospel songs will be a part of her "Celebration of Life" service. Darlene turned her life over to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and was baptized when she was in the 7th grade. While she was attending summer church camp in New Mexico, she came to the decision that she could not live without Him in her life. She has been active in His church all her life. She and her family were members of Valley Christian Church in Pauls Valley where B.R. was Secretary and Treasurer of the Board until his death. The Board asked Darlene to replace B.R. in that position which she held until her death. Darlene attended all 12 grades in Clovis and graduated from Clovis High School in 1954. She then attended Methodist School of Nursing in Lubbock, Texas, where she met Wayne Crowson. They were married in 1955 and moved to Monahans, Texas, and on January 19, 1956 their son, Terry Wayne Crowson was born. After her divorce in 1960, Darlene and Terry moved back to Clovis where she worked for Montgomery Ward and then attended Benson School of Commerce. Shortly, she went to work for Houston Lumber Company as bookkeeper. While working there, she met B.R. Harrison who worked at the First National Bank of Clovis. On September 2, 1962 they were married and lived in Clovis for one year. In 1963, B.R. was called to the position of Vice President at the First National Bank of Wynnewood. They lived west of Wynnewood in a home they built in 1972. B.R. passed away on November 2, 2007 after 45 years and two months of marriage. After moving to Wynnewood, Darlene worked for a few years for Perkins Lumber Company in Pauls Valley. She then went to work for the Kerr-McGee Refinery in Wynnewood and was there for almost 25 years. She retired in 1995 and B.R. retired the end of that year also. After her dad died in 1974, she and her mother traveled. They took bus tours on Fall Foliage trips to the northeast several times. They went to Hawaii twice and to New Orleans once. They made numerous trips to Branson, MO and enjoyed each other's company. They were truly best friends. Her mother passed away in 1996 after a short illness. One of B.R.'s fellow employees was a young lady by the name of Rita Jane. She became a good friend of the family and when she lost her mother in August of 1995 and Darlene lost her mother in January of 1996, the two of them decided to "adopt" each other. They have been practically inseparable ever since. Janie became the daughter Darlene never had and a younger sister to Terry. Darlene also gained a great son-in-law, Jim Motes. Darlene and Terry took up square dancing as a great hobby in the early 90's. They met good friends there and enjoyed the exercise. She also took up painting seriously after she retired. Most of her paintings were given to friends and family. Darlene was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Aljie and Alice (Keneipp) Brian and maternal grandparents, Alvin and Edna (Brown) Burk, parents Rusty and Nell Brian, and husband (B.R.) Harrison. She is survived by her son Terry Wayne, and daughter Rita Jane (Janie) and her husband Jim, brother Russell Eugen (Gene), his three sons, Randy and his wife Barbara, Ken, and Steven and his children, Kara and China, and great nephew Rustyn and his wife Lauren Brian and their daughter Lily and son Rowan. She is also survived by numerous cousins and many friends. Services for Darlene will be on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. at Valley Christian Church in
Pauls Valley, Oklahoma with Damon Brown and Rusty Brian officiating. Visitation will be on Monday, October 6, 2025 from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. at Wooster Funeral Home in
Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. Interment will follow the services at Oaklawn Cemetery in Wynnewood, Oklahoma. If you would like to send your condolences to the family you may do so at www.woosterfuneralhomes.com