Darlene Lynee Woodard was born in Detroit MI, to LaVonnie Belle Akins-Martin and Robert Martin. At an early age she relocated to Augusta, Ark., and then to Jonesboro, Ark. She attended Hillcrest Elementary and MacArthur Middle School. She had many childhood friends at MacArthur. She met and developed lifelong friends with five young women: Cassie Pausch-Kersey, Erika Vance, Tracy Langley Anderson, Stacy Barr-Blaxton, and Shannon Schaaf-Kever.
Darlene grew up in Jonesboro and attended St. John Baptist Church under leadership of Rev. Daniel Gladney, where she gave her life to Christ. She later graduated from Jonesboro High School and attended Shorter College in Little Rock, Ark.
In 1995, Darlene and Quinton were married and went on to raise three children, Joshua, Skyler, and Isiah. They were members of St. Paul A.M.E under the leadership of Rev Keith Granberry. Her joy and favorite pastimes were her children, family, and being Mimi to Cayden.
Darlene’s professional career included working for a short time at Sears but spending 18 years at Dillard’s until her illness forced and early retirement.
Darlene fought her illness for over six years and finally took her rest on February 13, 2024.
She was preceded in death by her parents, LaVonnie Belle Akins-Martin and Robert Martin; also her beloved in-laws, Jerry and Pamela Woodard.
She is survived by her loving husband, Quinton of Jonesboro, Ark.; two sons, Joshua James Martin of Indianapolis, Isiah Alexander Woodard of Jonesboro, Ark.; one daughter, Skyler Lavonn Woodard; one grandson, Cayden Chase of Jonesboro, Ark.; two sisters, Cherry Akins-Smith of Indianapolis and Diana Martin of Jonesboro, Ark.; two nieces, Brittany and Bridgette Smith; two nephews, Kameron Smith and Miles Woodard; sister and cousins, Leticia Mitchell, Keenya Mitchell-Graham (Dennis), Kimberly Akins-White(Steve); two brothers-in-law, Ronnie Smith and Lee J. Woodard (Tiora); one aunt, Jackie Mitchell of St Louis; three uncles, Calvin Akins (Evelyn) Jerry Akins (Opatria), both in Dallas, and Jerome Akins (Linda) of Augusta, Ark.; and a host of other cousins, family and friends.
Funeral Service: Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, at 11 a.m. St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Jonesboro, Ark.
Visitation: Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, 5-7 p.m. Woodard Funeral Service (Grace Chapel) in Jonesboro, Ark.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.
