Darlene Frances (White) Lane

Darlene Frances (White) Lane was born in Indianapolis, Indiana to Bobbie Myer White and Anna Mae Murray on November 27, 1956. Darlene attended elementary school #32, grade school #41 and graduated in 1975 from Harry E. Wood High School. For secondary school, she attended Clark College and received her certificate in data entry.

For 35 years, Darlene worked for the Department of Health Environmental Services Department, as an Administrative Assistant. In December of 2022 she received recognition from Governor Eric Holcomb and the State Health Commissioner, Dr. Kris Box for her hard work and dedication. Anyone who called her work phone could hear Darlene sing, “Indiana Department of Health”.

Darlene was very funny and she loved helping others. Many times she would ask her children,” have you ate yet?” She would know when we were sleep deprived, she would say, “you need your rest,” and make us take a nap in her lounge chair before we had permission to leave. Darlene loved coffee and donuts, going to thrift stores, out to eat and watching old black and white movies. She loved dancing to Luther Vandross with Jake. Darlene was a social butterfly, she made friends wherever she went. Our mother had a cheerful heart. She was only 4’9 but her smile was much taller.

The last four years of her life we watched her sickness challenge her. Each time before her surgeries, Deitra and Shawn would tell her, “Be strong and courageous”. Mom would come out of the surgeries still smiling. You would think she was a greeter at a store, but she was in the Intensive Care unit greeting everyone from her hospital bed. In tears we saw you sinking, and watched you fade away. Darlene loved talking on the phone, but when she was done talking, she would say, “ok bye bye”. Our hearts were broken, we wanted you to stay. But when we saw you sleeping, so peaceful and free from pain. How could we wish you back with us to suffer? It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone because a part of us went with you, the day God called you home. Mommy will always be with us. May God be with us, and his angels guide us. Rest easy Mommy! Sweet Jesus, take this message, to our dear mother and tell her how we miss her and give her all our love!

Ms. Darlene Frances (White) Lane departed this life on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at the age of 66 years old. She was preceded in death by her parents and her gorgeous sister, Barbara Jean (White) Hood.

She leaves behind her significant companion, Michael Kirkland; children: Angela “Shawn” (McKinney) Scott, Jacob “Jake” McKinney (Deitra), Bobbie Lane Jr., Antonio Lane, Latoya Lane, Keith Lane and Antwan Lane; grandchildren: Brandy Scott, Robyn (McKinney) Liedtke, Charles Lane, Mathew Marsh, Jacobe McKinney, Alexander Bryant, Aniyah Covington and Andreah Covington; great-grandchildren, Skyla and Zayla Bryant; sisters: Sandy Bishop (Glenn), F. Marie Jackson (Eddie) and Virginia Hill (Archie); and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and close friends: Lora, Linda and Jane.