Lifetime Sheridan resident and community leader Darlene E. Elliott passed away in Enid, Oklahoma on February 19, 2018.

A 3rd generation Sheridan and Johnson County native she was born in Sheridan August 17, 1924 to William and Edythe (Brockman) Sayles. Her grandparents homesteaded on lower Tongue River and her great-grandfather was a soldier at Ft. McKinney in Buffalo, WY.

Darlene was raised on a farm on lower Tongue River and attended a one room rural grade school, Wagner School, and graduated from Sheridan High School. She said "My first job was the ‘hired girl' for neighboring farms. My first full time job was as a seamstress at Ernst's Saddle Shop making the famous custom gabardine shirts"

On August 15, 1943 Darlene was married to Russell Elliott. They met on a blind date, eloped and married in Hardin, Montana, - a marriage of 62 years. They have one daughter, Judy Huhman of Enid, Oklahoma. Rusty preceded her in death in 2005.

Darlene's service to the Sheridan community includes employment as Executive Director of the YWCA and Executive Director of the Sheridan County Chapter of the American Red Cross but it is through her volunteer work that she was truly a community builder. PTA local and state president and National board of directors; First City of Sheridan Planning Commission; many local, state and national leadership positions for ecumenical and First Christian Church. She was on the founding boards of The Children's Center, Meals on Wheels, Heritage Towers, and the Senior Citizens Coordinating Council.

She served the State of Wyoming as Governor Ed Herschler's appointee to the Area Agency on Aging Board, and Wyoming Community College Commission.

Darlene was honored by a grateful community as a Keystone Award recipient, Sheridan's Outstanding Volunteer, Nominee for Wyoming Woman of Distinction, Wyoming Democratic Party ‘Party Builder of the year'.

Five years ago Darlene moved to Enid Oklahoma to be closer to her family. There she was active at University Place Christian Church in Enid.

She is survived by daughter, Judy (Anthony Huhman) of Enid. She is also survived by four grandsons Jason (Renee) of Lowell, AR, Joseph of Panama City Beach, FL, Jeremy (Tracy) and John (Joanna) of Enid, OK as well as four great grandchildren.

At her request, she was cremated and services will be held at First Christian Church, Sheridan, Wyoming in late spring of 2018.

Donations in Darlene's name may be sent to The Sheridan Senior Center (The Hub) 211 Smith Street, Sheridan, Wyoming or The Endowment Fund at First Christian Church, 102 S Connor St., Sheridan, Wyoming.

Cards may be sent to the family care of First Christian Church in Sheridan.

SheridanMedia.com - Feb. 23, 2018.