Darlene Neely

Funeral service for Darlene Neely will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at Claremore First Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at the MMS-Payne Funeral Home from 1-7 p.m. with family greeting friends from 5-7.

Darlene Neely passed away on Nov 29, 2025, at the age of 72. She was born on May 29, 1953 to Cleo & Beatrice Powers, in Pryor Oklahoma. She was a graduate of Catoosa High School. She married Charles Neely, “Her One & Only” on July 11, 1970. They enjoyed 41 years of marriage. They started C&D Lawnmower in 1979 out of a one room building next to their home. They later started Eastside Storage, C&D Flowers and County Line Storage. They built many beautiful homes together. They enjoyed traveling the country in their rv.

They welcomed 2 daughters, Tina and Tami, and eventually 3 grandsons. She was known for her baking, her quilts, and her love of shopping, or “goofin” as she called it. She was a florist for many years and loved arranging flowers. She was always on the go. She was the kindest-bravest woman, who always had the biggest smile on her face. She was kind and loved her family with her whole heart, everyone knew they were her entire world. Her grandsons were everything to her, they could do no wrong, unless they touched her morning bottle of yahoo. She was often found on the sidelines of her grandsons ballgames, in the rain, the cold and the blistering heat. The hotter the better for her, she could not stand the cold weather. She will forever be known as #Nanax3, which is her vehicle tag, everyone always knew it was her.

She had the brightest personality that was only rivaled by her crazy bright clothing, the brighter the better. Her home is filled with photos of family and friends, everyone was welcome, and they always left with a full belly. When her girls were in school her home was full of teenagers, everyone loved to be at her home. She enjoyed finding a new recipe, and making it for everyone. 

She will forever be treasured and remembered by Daughters: Tina Day and husband Troy of Wagoner, Tami Means of Claremore, Grandsons: Tristen & Averi Hilton, Tyler Hilton and Tanner Means; Brother: J.W. Powers, and sister-in-law: Kathy Yowaish.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles R. Neely. Brother, Jerry Powers and her parents, Cleo and Bea Powers.

She was a Mama and Nana to many others, but she claimed several as her own: Becky, Franke, Ashton & Aiden Campbell, Jessica & Zeb Brockel, Tally & Dakota Currier, Shelby Shuffitt, Woody & Amy Reed, Darin Weilert, and Rheyana Rodriquez.