Darlene Sue Hightower McClendon was born in Stroud, Oklahoma on June 26, 1953 and departed this life in Tulsa, Oklahoma on December 25, 2009 at the age of 56 years.

Darlene was the daughter of Alvin and Stella Mae Graham Hightower.

She was a resident of Tulsa, Oklahoma. She spent most of her life in Stroud, Oklahoma.

She was a homemaker, a member of the Freewill Baptist Church in Stroud, Oklahoma and graduated from Stroud High School in 1971.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Stella Hightower.

Survivors include one son, Alexander Hightower of Tulsa, Oklahoma, her father and step mother, Alvin and Alta Hightower of Stroud, one brother, Raymond Hightower of Tulsa, one sister, Debra Kay Hightower of Tulsa, one niece and six nephews as well as other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held at the Freewill Baptist Church in Stroud, Oklahoma on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. George Surrell officiating.

Burial followed in Stroud Cemetery under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Stroud, Oklahoma.

Published December 31, 2009.