Darlene Yvonne Nolen was born Dec. 19, 1956, in Kaufman to James Edward Nolen and Shirley Henderson Nolen. She passed away peacefully Feb. 20, 2026, after a brief illness surrounded by family and friends. 
She was truly loved by all who knew her. Darlene went to school in Athens at the local high school after moving from Dallas. 
She met her future husband, Lynn, at the skating rink in Athens and that’s where they decided that they liked each other and to start dating. 
After dating just over a year, they started making wedding plans. They were then married in the summer of 1973 on July 14 in Athens. They enjoyed 52 beautiful years together.
Darlene was preceded in death by her father, paternal grandparents Edward Nolen and Ira Sue Nolen and maternal grandparents Bennie and Eula Dawdy Henderson. 
She is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, daughter Kandy Nix, son Jerry Nix and wife Karenina, grandson Lathan, great-granddaughter Beverley, her mother Shirley Henderson Padron, brother Tommy Nolen and wife Nita and many nieces and nephews and extended family. 
A Celebration of Life for Darlene will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 4, 2026, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 3650 NE Loop 7 in Athens. Darlene will be laid to rest at King Cemetery in the community of Aley near Seven Points.