Darlene Welch Harding

Darlene Welch Harding, age 91, of Winnabow, NC, passed away peacefully in her home on November 9th, 2024. She was born in Ft. Worth, Texas during the Great Depression. Her parents, determined she would not be shy and quiet, enrolled her in dance, drama and speech classes. She blossomed into a social beauty and everyone's favorite friend. Darlene was best known for her incredible sense of humor and fashion sense. Her sweet smile and infectious laughter brought so much joy to all who knew her.

Darlene graduated from Paschal High School and attended Texas Christian University, where she met and married the love of her life, Bob Harding of McGregor, Texas. She was employed by Pure Oil Company, Ft. Worth, TX, where, at 110 pounds, she became known as "Big Darl". Darlene loved being a homemaker, caring for their two children and eventually, their four grandchildren, who affectionately called her "Mamier" and their grandfather, "Big Bob". They were married 66 years and many of those years, happily traveled the world together. After Bob's retirement, they lived 27 years at Hideaway Community in Lindale, TX. Big Bob and Mamier were very active in the Hideaway community and church. Darlene spent most of her life in Texas, briefly in Shreveport, Louisiana, and at age 87, moved to the North Carolina coast to be close to family. She made many friends there, earning the title of "Lady D".

Darlene was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Harding, her parents, J.C. and Eloise Welch, her sister, Doris Welch Hunter and brother-in-law, Gil Hunter and her daughter, Sharon Harding Hopper. She is survived by her son, Patrick Harding and wife, Teresa, of Winnabow, NC, grandson, Brian Harding and wife, Rene', of Plano, TX, granddaughter, Tara Harding Beighle and husband, Richard of Winnabow, NC, grandson, Steven Hopper and partner, Margarita Krasnogorova, of New York City, NY, granddaughter, Laura Hopper Strickland and husband, Jeffrey of Colorado Springs, CO, great grandchildren, Kyle Harding, Gil Beighle, Caleb Harding, Carolina Beighle, Sophie Strickland and Oliver Strickland.

A graveside service for family and close friends will be held on Saturday, November 16th at 1 PM at Tyler Memorial Cemetery in Tyler, TX with Rev. Michelle Hawkins Reimer officiating. A Memorial Gathering of North Carolina friends and family will be at 3pm on Sunday, December 8th at the Mallory Creek clubhouse, 115 Grace Point Drive, Winnabow, NC. The memorial service will be followed by a Celebration of the Nativity with Christmas caroling and fellowship.

In lieu of flowers, Darlene requested that memorial donations may be made to benefit her favorite place to spend time with her friends.

The Brunswick Center at Leland

121 Town Hall Drive

Leland, NC 28451

Checks made out to: BSRI, memo: Leland

Special gratitude and praise to Gentiva Hospice-Leland for the excellent care and personal support provided to Darlene and her family over the past few months, even continuing to bring comfort and aid to the family after her passing.

Condolences to the family may be sent to www.coblegreenlawn.com