Darlene Curtis Bryan passed away peacefully at her lakeside home west of Taylor, Arkansas on Sunday, March 9, 2025. She fought a valiant battle with multiple myeloma after being diagnosed in the third stages of the disease in October, 2024.
Funeral services will be held at Bailey Funeral Home Chapel, Springhill, Louisiana at 10:30 AM on Thursday, March 13, 2025 with Rev. Joseph Stacks conducting the service. Diane White will give eulogy. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at the funeral home.
Serving as pallbearers are Andy Goodwin, Mikey Whitehead, D.J. Dickinson, Marty Curtis, Cody Goodwin, and Carl Abshire. Honorary pallbearers will be George White, Wayne Schilling, and Lon Park.
Darlene was born at Minden, Louisiana on December 7, 1943 to McAdoo A. and Margaret Cox Curtis. She grew up in Cullen, Louisiana attending schools in Springhill. She began taking piano lessons at a young age and by the time she was twelve Darlene was pianist for Calvary Baptist in Cullen and soon she began playing for weddings and funerals which she continued into her eightieth year. She served as church pianist for four different churches in her lifetime.
She owned and operated Darlene’s Ready to Wear in Cullen and later in Springhill for twenty years. On April 29,1983 Darlene married Anderson Bryan. They built a home overlooking Red Branch on Lake Erling, where they lived for the rest of their life together.
Darlene’s greatest treasure was her son, Timmy John Horn. Her darkest day was when she lost Tim, just twenty-one, to an accident on October 13, 1985.
In 1989, Darlene began her dream job with Mary Kay Cosmetics. She put her whole heart into her work, becoming a Senior Sales Director. Her achievements were many and very rewarding. The friendships with customers were a great joy in her life. She was still a very active Senior Sales Director at her passing. She vowed to be active in Mary Kay until the end and she kept that vow, loving her job every step of the way. Truly beautiful to the end of her life and was, as many have commented, her own best advertisement. She was truly fabulous.
Darlene loved her home, which she called, “my paradise”. She enjoyed decorating the home and tending her extensive flower beds. She was an excellent cook, well known for her Gumbo’s and preparation of many delicious vegetable dishes fresh from Andy’s gardens. Besides being an accomplished musician, she also wrote poetry. Known for her sense of humor and positive outlook, Darlene was a treasured friend to many.
Through the heartbreak of losing her only child and her own final devastating illness, Darlene’s faith in God was unwavering. She sought to follow the teachings of her Savior. Her humanity and virtue reflected those beliefs.
Darlene is survived by her husband, Andy Bryan; sisters-in-law, Martha Peavy and Judy Bishop; brothers-in-law, Dr. Mark Bryan (Yolanda) and David Bryan (Kristine); nieces and nephews, Courtney Bryan House, Susan Curtis, Katrina Curtis Jones, Alice Bishop Clark, Todd Curtis, Allen Bishop, Bryan Bishop, and Nathan Bryan; stepdaughters, Janice Lea and Rhonda O’Glee; and uncle, Kenneth Irvin. Also many beloved cousins, and special friends, Tracie Boucher, Kim Andrepont, Diane White, and beloved caregiver, Lou Lewis.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Robert Mac Curtis; her father and mother-in-law, Hubert and Marilyn Bryan; and her brother-in-law, Dickie Bishop. She and her mother-in-law loved and respected each other deeply. Darlene’s kindness to Marilyn, especially in her latter years, was a great blessing. She treated her like a cherished mother.
Special thanks to Diane, Tracie, and Lou for loving her so tenderly these last few months and for the many years of devoted friendship you provided.
In lieu of flowers please make a memorial to the charity of your choice.