Darlene Johnson

Darlene “DJ” Johnson was born in Washington County on March 16, 1959. She is the fourth child of ten and the third daughter of the late Lonnie B. Johnson and William J. Johnson. She spent her early childhood growing her roots in Brenham, Texas. Darlene gave her life to Christ and was baptized at Main Street Baptist Church at an early age. She became passionate about singing, joined the youth and adult choir, and served as a youth usher.

Darlene attended Brenham High School and became part of the Brenham Cubs drill team. After graduating from Brenham High School, Darlene moved to Houston, Texas, to further her education at Texas Southern University in Physical Education. While attending school, she started working in debt collections for the Gemco department store.

Shortly after starting her career, she met Kirk Wilridge in Houston, Texas. In 1982, the couple married at Main Street Baptist Church. Darlene and Kirk welcomed two sons together, Erik Keith in 1983 and Brandon Marc in 1984, to this union. Darlene and Kirk moved their family to Missouri City, Texas, where they purchased their first home together. In 1992, the couple divorced.

After her divorce, as a single parent, Darlene embraced the challenges and financial adversities of raising two children independently. She always put God first and regularly attended Willowridge Baptist Church in Stafford. Darlene continued to thrive in her career, skip tracing for small businesses. After that, she began working as a private investigator in automotive repossession with a few different repossession companies; while completing real estate classes. In 2004, she started her auto repossession company, DJ & Associates, with an office located in Southwest Houston, along with two tow trucks. Darlene worked as a private investigator for over 20 years.

In search of a new church home, Darlene felt passionate about joining Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. Darlene served as a choir member and treasurer at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. She loved singing in the choir and always invited her family and friends to support musical programs. In 2014, during the “Lady in Red” Sunday service, Byron Culpepper proposed to Darlene, in the presence of Lonnie B. Johnson. In November of 2014, Darlene married Byron Culpepper at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Darlene and Byron Culpepper spent countless hours on the road repossessing vehicles.

Darlene immediately lit up any room she entered and made an impact on so many people. She was a joyful presence with her fashionable style, beautiful hair and nails, and classy personality. Darlene loved music, traveling, rodeos, attending concerts, and the Houston Rockets. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

Darlene is preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Clint Watkins; her sister, Patricia Johnson; her brothers, Freddie Johnson and Christopher Johnson; her nephew, Douglas Keith Henderson. Darlene leaves to cherish her precious memories to her husband, Byron Culpepper; her sons, Erik Keith (Shantay) Wilridge of Houston, Texas, Brandon Marc Wilridge (Monae) of Missouri City, Texas, Avery Smith of Corpus Christi, Texas; her grandchildren, Gary, Ta’Yona, Marcquce, and Ta’Liyah; her sisters, Shirley Henderson and Carrie Pittman of Austin, Texas, Irene Johnson of Houston, Texas; her brothers, Robert Johnson of College Station, Texas, Kevin (Latresia) Johnson of Austin, Texas, and David (Casandra) Johnson of Brenham, Texas; her nieces, Takesha Henderson Ray, La’Toya Pittman, Dominique Johnson, Rijhuan Johnson, Jamarri Johnson, Jaylecia Johnson, Desiree Trejo; her nephews, David (Amber) Pittman, Jr., Shawn Johnson, Maurice Johnson, Lamont Johnson, Edward Dawson, Jr, Bradley Johnson, Joseph Love; her cousins, Douglas Watkins, Sandra Watkins, Lisa Watkins, “Mac” Watkins, and many more; her friends, Linda Love, Jennette, and many more, and a host of great nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Darlene's life will be held on Saturday, December 3, at 10:30 a.m. at Main Street Baptist Church, 905 E. Main Street in Brenham.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with her family at www.earthmansouthwest.com.