Darlene (Gooden) Ray

Darlene Ray was born on December 4, 1938 in Watonga, OK to Thurmel T. and Ruby I. (Derry) Gooden. Darlene passed away on March 27, 2024 in Oklahoma City, OK at the age of 85. Darlene graduated from Watonga High School in 1956. She worked for Pioneer Telephone as a switchboard operator. One of her co-workers set her and Charles Ray up on a blind date that resulted in their marriage on September 17, 1962 in Watonga, OK. She worked periodically as a hostess and waitress at R.B.’s Steakhouse in Watonga. Darlene was a homemaker to her girls and enjoyed attending all their activities. She worked at the Blaine County Election Board. After Charles’ passing, she worked a short time for ALCO. Darlene enjoyed bowling, sewing, reading, all kinds of puzzles, crafting, embroidery, and gardening.

Survivors Include: her daughters, Janice Demo and husband Ron of Blanchard, OK, Peggy Lawson and husband Chuck of Geary, OK, and Barbra Castleberry and husband Clint of Moore, OK, her step-daughters, Diane Moon of OKC,OK, and Nancy Fennel of OKC,OK and their families, her grandchildren, Sarah Jury and husband Brian of OKC,OK, T’Jae Ingoglia and husband John of Germany, Jessi Alexander and husband Chris of Clute, TX, Avery Castleberry of Moore, OK, her great grandchildren, Zander Sealy, Calvin Ingoglia, and Caitlyn Ingoglia, her sister, Carol Winn and husband Bert of Watonga, OK, her sister-in-law, Eddie Gooden of Alvin, TX, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, other relatives and friends.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, Thurmel and Ruby Gooden, her husband, Charles Ray, her brothers, Troy Wayne Gooden and John Dale Gooden.

Memorial Donations may be made in Darlene’s name to: Integris Hospice House, 13920 Quailbrook Drive, OKC, OK, 73134

Graveside Services: East Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Monday, 11:00 AM, April 1, 2024, Watonga, OK

Officiating: Mr. Chuck Lawson

Services  under the direction of Turner Funeral Home, Geary, Oklahoma. Condolences may be sent to the family at turnerfuneralhomes@gmail.com, or you can find us on facebook.com (Turner Funeral Homes).

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Darlene (Gooden) Ray, please visit our floral store.