Mrs. Darlene Smith Sears

Darlene Smith-Sears was born April 14, 1955, to Alberta Louise Shears Smith and the late Fred Lee Smith Sr. of Marianna, AR. Darlene met and married the love of her life Raymond Sears of Magnolia, AR. Darlene attended Anna Strong Moton and Lee Senior High School as a little girl. During the 1970s, she worked with the students and community leaders to help integrate the high school in Marianna. She knocked on doors to get people involved in their efforts. She endured the pain of water hoses being sprayed on her and dogs attacking her, but she was determined that integration was going to happen under the education system. After high school, she attended the former (AM&N) Agricultural Mechanical Normal College, now known as the University of Arkansas of Pine Bluff (UAPB), where she graduated at the top of her class Magna Cum Lada. Darlene began her career as a Walker Public School District school teacher. She was well known as an excellent teacher, teaching over 1000 students in grades 5-12 during her teaching career that spanned over 40 years. Her most memorable and loving years were taught at Haye Elementary School, where she taught 3rd-grade students. Darlene shared several teaching strategies in reading and math with her sister Linda. Darlene was one of those dedicated teachers who made it to school before the custodians arrived and was there to help the custodians lock the building up at night. She was respected and loved by her students and co-workers. Darlene accepted Christ as her personal Savior early and joined Peter’s Rock AME Church under the leadership of Rev. James T. Hart of Marianna, AR. After moving to South Bend, IN, she joined the Bethlehem M.B. Church, where her pastor is the Rev. Keith Witherspoon. She faithfully served as a Sunday School Teacher, a loyal member of Bible Study, Vacation Bible School, Pastor’s Aid Committee, and on the Kitchen Committee until her health began to decline. Darlene departed this life on March 30, 2024. She leaves to cherish her memory, husband Raymond Sears, mother Alberta Louise Shears Smith Tucker and three children: sons Marvin Smith of South Bend, Indiana, Datron Sears of Columbus, Ohio, and daughter Kenya ReShay Smith of Marlow, OK. She also leaves three sisters and four brothers: Doris (Leonard) Jones of Chicago, IL; Maxine Smith-Blue Island, IL, and Linda (Bruce) Morgan of Forrest City, AR; Albert (Carolyn) Shears of Hazel Crest, IL, Roger Smith of Harvey, IL, Fred (Maria) Smith of Orland Park, IL, and Wayne (Cindy) Smith of Grayslake, IL, four grandchildren: Iris, D’Khari, Jabari and Brooklyn, whom she loved dearly, and one aunt, Mrs. Lela Jones of Desoto, TX. Darlene also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mrs. Darlene Smith Sears

April 14, 1955 - March 30, 2024