Darlene Bilyeu peacefully met her heavenly Father on July 26, 2025 surrounded by her family. A visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at Strode Funeral Home. A celebration of her life will follow 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at the First United Methodist Church in Stillwater, with Senior Pastor Charla Gwartney officiating. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed by going to www.youtube.com/@fumcstw or on Darlene's memorial page on the Strode website. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.

She was born Dorothy Darlene Dunham on August 14, 1935, on the family farm near Agra, Oklahoma. Weighing just 5 pounds and measuring 15 inches long, she spent her first nights sleeping in a dresser drawer, a humble beginning for a life filled with grace, laughter, and deep devotion.

Darlene graduated from Agra High School in 1952 at the remarkable age of 16. In 1954, she moved to Stillwater to work for the Payne County Superintendent of Schools, where a new chapter began. In 1955, she met the love of her life, JD Bilyeu, and the two were married on March 29, 1958, in Agra. Their marriage spanned 51 beautiful years until JD's passing in 2009. Known affectionately as "Puddin" by JD, their life was one of love, fun, and enduring commitment. To her daughters, she was a loving and caring mother and a shining example of a strong woman.

Darlene was a vibrant part of the Stillwater community. She was a proud member of P.E.O. Chapter BU, an organization dedicated to supporting and celebrating women. She was also an honorary member of Phi Mu Sorority at Oklahoma State University, a long-time member of the First Wednesday Bridge Club, and a dedicated member of First United Methodist Church of Stillwater.

In 1974, Darlene became a businesswoman when she co-founded Dawn Kay Youth Fashions, a children's clothing store that served Stillwater and the surrounding area for nearly a decade. After selling the store in 1983, she continued her professional journey at Oklahoma State University in the Agricultural Education and 4-H department, where she worked until retirement.

She and JD were "Loyal and True" OSU Cowboys fans and longtime season ticket holders for football, basketball, and wrestling. They traveled extensively with a special group of friends to away games-and occasionally, even with the team itself.

Darlene found joy in playing Bridge, Shanghai, and golf, but nothing brought her greater happiness than spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After her first grandson was born, her family affectionately began calling her "Gran," a name always spoken with love and joy.

Darlene was preceded in death by her beloved husband, JD; her parents, Harold and Francis (Swingle) Dunham; her siblings, Russell, Donald, and Eldon Dunham; her most loved sister, Virginia Hensley; and many cherished friends.

Left to honor her memory are her daughters, Jennifer (Roy) Hackett of Broken Arrow, OK; Julie (Bill) Miller of Stillwater, OK; and Joni Bilyeu of Coweta, OK.
Her grandchildren, Austin (Michelle) Hackett of Broken Arrow, OK; Taylor (Karrah) Hackett of Bixby, OK; Ali (Arianne) Suchy of Wichita, KS; Peyton (Caleb) Vanderburg of Edmond, OK; and Olivia Miller of Stillwater, OK; her great-grandchildren, Carson and Benjamin Hackett, Hudson and Cooper Hackett, and Violet Vanderburg; she is also survived by her brother-in-law, Howard Hensley; niece, Robin Musto; nephews, Brett Hensley and Jeff Marriott; along with their families.

The family requests in lieu of customary remembrances donations be made to,
First United Methodist Church, 400 West Seventh Avenue Stillwater, OK 74074