We have lost our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend to so many. While we will mourn today, we will also celebrate her incredible life.
Darlene was an academic, a business woman, a wife, a mother and always the life of the party. She was as comfortable playing her hand in the boardroom table as she was at the card table. She was as much of an international citizen as she was a California, hometown girl. It is that dynamic duality and the beautiful moments in between that we will cherish forever.
Darlene spent her childhood in El Centro, California with her beloved Maternal Grandmother Mrs. Jeri Moore (affectionately known as Mama Jerdi). From a young age, Darlene was stylish, outspoken and fiercely protective of her sisters Glenda and Cheryl. As supportive and giving as she was to all that knew her, Darlene was equally passionate in pursuing her own dreams.
As a teenager, she was a competitive athlete as well as a skilled pianist. Darlene spent her summers in San Diego where she eventually moved to pursue her undergraduate degree at San Diego State University. As a life-long sports fan, she was extremely proud to witness the SDSU Aztec Warriors’ historic Men’s Basketball Final Four run!
She met the love of her life, Meredith Wilson Lewis, while studying for her master’s degree at the University of Illinois Champaign Urbana. The two married September 4, 1971 and theirs was a true love story sharing common interests of travel, food, advocacy, and exploration. The couple moved across the country often and even lived with their daughters for a short stint in Japan.
No matter where she and her family lived, Darlene shared her love of exploration with her daughters and friends. Whether it was riding a bus up the side of Fuji Mountain, visiting The Great Wall of China, or taking a cruise to Alaska - she succeeded in instilling a sense of Global Citizenship that included laughter, advocacy, and a deep responsibility to help others.
Darlene was never satisfied with being “the only one”. Once her foot was in the door, she walked in and kept the door propped open for all who belonged. She used her professional positions to mentor and collaborate with like-minded qualified people, particularly Women and People of Color. Her professional career led her to senior leadership positions in Human Resources at the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, University of Pittsburgh, Magee Womens Hospital, Vanderbilt University and Hospital, University of Chicago Hospitals, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Her love of learning and leadership led her to complete a Ph.D. program in Organizational Development in 2007.
After a well deserved retirement, she continued to volunteer in organizations such as AARP and the NAACP. She loved to talk politics, news and sports, often sending family and friends her weekly round up of interesting news. She enjoyed cooking, hosting parties, and smacking folks down in bid whist at the card table. Her love of travel continued into retirement where she regularly traveled on vacations, to see her grandchildren, and was planning a trip to Spain in 2024.
Everyone who knows Darlene understands that none of her academic or professional accomplishments were nearly as important to her as her beloved family. She cherished her daughters, Malika Lewis-Benson, Kali Basit and her husband who preceded her in death, Meredith Wilson Lewis. Later in life, she adored her role as Grandmother to her four grandchildren Sadie, Hayes, Lennox and Kofi instilling in them the pride of their heritage and remembrance of their history.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Walter & Gladys King, her grandmother, Jerdi Moore, her husband Meredith Wilson Lewis, her sister Deborah Limbrick and her brother Garland Norton King.
Lovingly remembered by her much loved daughters, Malika and Kali, her son-in-laws Andrew and Jamal, and her grandchildren, Sadie, Hayes, Lennox, and Kofi, her sisters Glenda Bradley and Cheryl King, her brother Chris Parks, and sister-in-law Heléne Rivers; as well as a vast extended family of a nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and countless dear friends, all of whom she loved dearly.
Your kind words and thoughtful notes have been a source of inspiration. Your messages of hope and encouragement have reminded us of the beautiful impact Darlene had on all of us and how her legacy will continue through our shared memories.
A celebration of life, burial, and reception will be held at 1pm on August 26, 2023 at El Camino Memorial - Sorrento Valley & Memorial Park in San Diego, California.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in her name to Susan G. Komen with funds earmarked for women of color affected by breast cancer by visiting the link below:
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