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Darlene Pegion Standingwater © Locust Grove Funeral Home Submitted by: Sharon
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Darlene Pegion Standingwater
June 11, 1933 - January 22, 2026
Darlene Pegion Standingwater, age 92, passed away peacefully on January 22, 2026, in Pryor, Oklahoma. She was born on June 11, 1933, in Locust Grove, Oklahoma, to Marion Virgil Condit and Opal Marie (Sexson) Smith. Darlene’s Cherokee ancestry included several prominent Cherokee ancestors including William Shorey, Sr., William Shorey, Jr., and George Lowery.
Darlene attended Little Rock and Smith Chapel schools. She also attended Locust Grove High School, where she proudly played on the State Basketball Championship Team. She was awarded the Major Letter of Attainment in Basketball for the school year of 1949 and earned a Certificate of Award for Meritorious Conduct and for having perfect attendance. From an early age, she learned the value of hard work while helping on the family dairy and working alongside her family in the fields of Oklahoma and Arkansas.
On September 23, 1950, Darlene married the love of her life, Charles Standingwater, in Ephrata, Washington. Together they shared more than 73 years of marriage before Charles preceded her in death on February 16, 2024. Their life together took them from Washington state, to Southern California in the 1960s, settling on the La Jolla Indian Reservation from the 1970s through the 1990s, before returning home to Locust Grove in 2001.
Throughout her life, Darlene was known as a tireless worker. She worked the potato fields in Washington. She fed the hungry with her memorable meals for many years in Escondido, California, where she knew her customers and their orders by heart. She later served as a JOM Nutrition Coordinator on the La Jolla Indian Reservation, retiring in 1998. A true example of determination, she even gathered her own firewood and kindling. She often joked that years of picking strawberries made her refuse to eat anything that even resembled one.
Darlene was a Charter Member of Little Rock Free Will Baptist Church, where she faithfully supported the church and its’ ministry. Her faith guided her life. She attended many churches over the years, including Snake Creek Baptist Church. She taught Sunday School, loved to sing - earning the affectionate title of "songbird" - and was devoted to the Bible Society, believing deeply that everyone should have access to the Word of God.
In her spare time, Darlene enjoyed fishing, reading and studying her Bible, sewing, and quilting. She lovingly helped raise her siblings and was well known among her grandchildren as the keeper of the "ugly stick,” which she used to keep them in line. She adored gardening, especially her flowers and potted plants, with a special fondness for her irises - so much so that when moving from California, a separate trailer was needed just to haul her plants home. She was proudly known as the Domino Queen, always wearing her lucky zebra hat when she played. Above all else, Darlene will be remembered for her infectious laughter, her love of singing, dancing, and glamour poses, and her genuinely sweet spirit that touched everyone she met.
Susie shared these thoughts, "There is a lot to say about a mother who made sure we had a home and everything provided for the family. What a hard worker she was, a great cook too. She loved her flowers and plants. Took in some strays that would come along. She was faithful to her husband, my dad, and especially to her belief in Jesus Christ our savior. I will miss my mother, she was always part of my life and my children. She left us, but will always be with us in faith. May she rest now."
Darlene is survived by: 5 children: Bob Standingwater and wife Roberta of LaPorte, Texas, DeWayne Standingwater of Bellaire, Texas, Susie Quinn and husband Charlie of Grove, Oklahoma, Micky Vernon of Riverside, California, and Dena Carol Standingwater-Hill and husband Hal "Willie" Hill of Locust Grove, Oklahoma; 17 Grandchildren; numerous great and great-great grandchildren; 1 brother: Rick Condit and wife Marilyn of Locust Grove, Oklahoma; 4 sisters: Marlene "Babe" Rogers of Pryor, Oklahoma, Linda Callery and husband Hugh of Owasso, Oklahoma, Marion "Sis" Henson of Salina, Oklahoma, and Kay Chancellor of Kenwood, Oklahoma; Numerous other nieces, nephews, relatives, church family and a host of friends.
Darlene was preceded in death by: her parents; her husband: Charles; 2 sisters: Johnanna Whiteday and June Back.
Funeral services are pending. Services have been entrusted to Locust Grove Funeral Home. Memories, condolences, and tributes may be shared at www.locustgrovefuneralhome.com.
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