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BORN
1939
DIED
2021
Darlena So Obituary
March 22, 1939 - December 27, 2021
Sacramento, California - On Monday, December 27th, 2021, Darlena So; loyal friend, a loving wife and mother, and extraordinary human being, passed away at the age of 82.
Darlena was born in Cedar Gap, Missouri on March 22nd, 1939. Darlena led a full life. In her professional life, she was a successful business owner, a real estate agent, a prison guard, and a fingerprint specialist. In later years, she would defend the rights of the elderly, as an ombudsman. In each career, she made life-long friends who loved her for her honesty, spirit, and her fierce independence.
Despite her cancer diagnosis, she continued to inspire others with her attitude of strength and faith. She loved golfing, trap shooting, dancing, and spending time sipping coffee with her friends after church. Darlena adored hummingbirds and flowers, especially the red rose and bird of paradise. She found great joy in all the little miracles life had to offer, leaving no stone unturned. Darlena was a force of nature and honest to a fault. She will be missed dearly.
Darlena is survived by her children; Norm McKenzie (Jan) of Columbia, Tennessee, Will McKenzie of Summertown, Tennessee, her grandchildren, Bill McKenzie of Sacramento, California, Kaylen Manier (Jeff and Mila) of Cookeville, Tennessee, and her stepsons Charles (MiYeon) and Jung (Bailey and Tristan) of Sacramento, California.
Darlena's memorial will be held on June 25th, 2022, at El Camino Baptist Church at 2:00pm.
El Camino Baptist Church
2805 El Camino Avenue
Sacramento, California 95821
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Darlena So
6 Entries
Denelle
June 13, 2025
Darlena, thinking of YOU often! This morning, came across a little photo of you, Dixon and Norman! I'm still drinking coffee and tea everyday from your sweet and delicate little teacups and I'm still saying to myself, "Here's to YOU Darlena!" I sure miss you!! With love....Denelle
Tina Nichols Lindsey
January 11, 2024
Darlena So
Thank you for being a true friend to my mother especially and her family. Annette and Darlena shared greeting cards for years. There was always a friendly crispy twenty dollar bill tucked inside from Darlena to Annette. That just tickled my mother from the inside out.. lol. One time my mom wanted a different purse so she mentioned it to Darlena and she mailed 3 pocket books with money in all 3 .. you've gained your wings.. FLY HIGH!
Denelle
December 12, 2023
Dear Darlena,
You are not forgotten; but oh, how I miss you! I miss our Bible study together each evening. I miss your strength and encouragement every day. There are beautiful memories of you all around me. Like one of your sweet and delicate little teacups that I often sip tea from, and a much larger cup that I drink coffee and heavy cream from almost everyday...and I say to myself, here's to YOU Darlena. Most of all, I miss your words of wisdom and how well you knew your Bible and the love of Jesus. I wish you were here by my side to enjoy with me but I know you are in a much better place. I miss seeing your son Norm during holiday visits and Bill too. Merry Christmas and love to a best friend...
Denelle
June 13, 2023
Darlene, missing you every day!
Denelle
June 24, 2022
My dear friend Darlena...
You must know how I admired you and still do. You were extraordinary and definitely, one of the strongest, bravest women I have ever known! Even at times when you were so ill, YOU still had such a zest for living life-never giving up! I wish I had some of your tenacity! I sure miss our evening phone calls of Bible study, and your presence at our favorite Japanese Restaurant. And, too, I miss, the nice lunches after church at Panera's with you and Dixon. No more suffering for either of you as you are now with Jesus.
With my deepest sympathy to Norman, Bill and their families.
Love,
Denelle
Denelle Mae
June 24, 2022
My dear friend Darlena Mae...
You must know how I admired you and still do. You were extraordinary and definitely, one of the strongest, bravest women I have ever known! Even at times when you were so ill, you still had such a zest for living life--never giving up!! I wish I had some of your tenacity! I sure miss our evening phone calls of Bible study, and your presence at our favorite Japanese Restaurant. And, too, I miss, the nice lunches after church at Panera´s with you and Dixon. No more suffering for either of you as you are with Jesus now.
I miss you lots...
Love,
Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results
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