Darlene Stricklin, 94, of Slaton passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. A private viewing and graveside service will be held at Englewood Cemetery in Slaton under the direction of Englund’s Funeral Service of Slaton.

Darlene was born on September 21, 1931 in Olton, Texas to L.D. and Fern McCullough. She started school at Olton before her family moved to Abernathy where she continued her education. She met Elsford “Ebb” Stricklin in Abernathy and they were married on August 25, 1947. She was a homemaker for many years before they started Stricklin Builders together where they worked side by side building a successful business. While Darlene considered her most important role in life as a caregiver to her family, she was an extremely gifted seamstress and crafter. She used these skills to fulfill her dream of opening her own shop, Heart’s Desire, in Lake City, Colorado, which she owned and operated for six years. Up until her death, she was always using her talents to glorify God and bless others.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her infant son, Elsford Dale, her son, Claude Stricklin and her brother, Gene McCullough.

Darlene is survived by her daughters, Donna Stricklin of Slaton, Gwenda Hurley and her husband Greg of Lubbock, Gretta Kitten and her husband Floyd of Blackwell, and her son, Geron and his wife Carla of Slaton. She is also survived by her sister, Nelda Douglas of Lubbock, her brothers Kent McCullough and wife Frieda of Manchester, MI, Gary McCullough of Valley City, North Dakota, Doug McCullough of Fruitvale, Texas and Lloyd McCullough and his wife Ava of Wills Point, Texas, 12 grandchildren, and several great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

The family suggest memorials be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Children’s Cancer Research Fund, 1650 W 82nd St, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55431.