Mrs. Darlene Youngblood Kesterson, age 78, a resident of De Queen, died Thursday, March 29, 2018, in the CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System, Texarkana, Texas.

She was born to William Jerry Youngblood and Minnie Wyant Youngblood on August 16, 1939, in Hannibal, Missouri. She was a school teacher for 43 years retiring from the De Queen School District. She attended church at the Grannis Baptist Church and later in life she enjoyed watching the Shephard's Chapel Network. She enjoyed cross stitch, quilting, flowers such as ferns and violets, her students throughout the years and most of all she enjoyed spending time with her son, Clint.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, Jeffery Kesterson

She is survived by her son, Clint Todd Kesterson of De Queen, Arkansas; three brothers, W.T. Youngblood and his wife Cathy of Mena, Arkansas, Gaylen Youngblood and his wife Claudette of Gillham, Arkansas, and Gerald Youngblood of Horatio, Arkansas; four sisters, Dorothy Bruce and her husband Giles of Mena, Arkansas, Irene Stiles and her husband Bill of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, Olive Chambers and her husband Sherrel of Mena, Arkansas, and Joyce Coffman and her husband Larry of Mena, Arkansas; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

The family wishes to extend their deepest appreciation to Tonya Martinez, Julie Perez, Robert Taylor, Glenda Mowry, Kaye Wade and the many other wonderful caregivers of Mrs. Kesterson over the past years.

Funeral services for Mrs. Darlene Kesterson will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, March 31, 2018, in the First Baptist Church of Gillham with Bro. Shane Haarmeyer officiating. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Wickes, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen. The family will receive friends on Friday, March 30, 2018, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., at the funeral home. You may send an online sympathy message at www.chandlerfuneral.com.