Darlene E. Powe, 61, of Salina, KS, formerly of Junction City, KS, passed away on Monday, July 27, 2015, at the Salina Regional Health Center. A funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, August 8, 2015, at the Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church. Reverend Viola Jones will officiate. A visitation will be held the evening before on Friday August 7, 2015, at the Penwell-Gabel Mass-Hinitt Chapel 805 Caroline Ave. Burial will follow the funeral Saturday at Highland Cemetery.
Darlene was born May 28, 1954, in Junction City, KS, the daughter of Thomas Roosevelt and Esther Louise (Stewart) Vance.
Darlene attended Junction City High School. Darlene grew up in a military household having traveled the world and living in many different places in the United States. Darlene worked as a school bus driver in Junction City for seventeen years. She also drove buses on Fort Riley for soldiers transporting them to the dining facilities. She was an active volunteer member for the Special Olympics. Darlene always opened her door at her home to people that needed help and a safe place to visit and sleep. She enjoyed playing bingo, traveling, cooking, singing, dancing and placing smiles on people's faces.
She was a born again Child of God. She was an active member of the Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church since the early 1980's after returning from Germany. She enjoyed singing in the church choir. While singing in the church choir, she met Mrs. White the choir director who was a great influence. During that time, she met Patrice White who became a close friend and their relationship grew beyond measures and they became sisters.
Survivors include two sons, Michael Adams and Charles Adams both Junction City, KS; two daughters, Angela Adams-Siler of Atlanta, GA and Nasha Adams of Junction City, KS. She is survived by thirteen grandchildren, six surviving cousins, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband James Powe who passed away in 1998 and one son Anthony who passed away in 1979.