Darlene Kay Tyson

Darlene K. Tyson, 85, passed away peacefully, with her loving daughter by her side on May 8, 2026 at Haciendas at Grace Village in Las Cruces NM. She was born Darlene Kay Willis on January 9, 1941 in Hackberry Township, Labette County, Kansas to Irvin Harold “Arky” and Mary Austaphine Ina (Davis) Willis. 

Darlene graduated from Altamont High School in Altamont, Kansas with the class of 1958. Darlene was married to Vernon D. Cranor for 13 years and had two daughters; Cindy Diane and Tina Marie. She later married Kenneth R. Tyson on November 8, 1980. Kenneth passed away March 10, 1991. Darlene worked for Mitchell Campers in the 70's and 80's and then as a casino manager in Cripple Creek, CO until her retirement when she dedicated her life to carrying for her family. Darlene spent the rest of her life living on the Fischer Cherokee Ranch, in Arabela, NM in close proximity to her daughter Tina and son in law Mark. Darlene enjoyed fishing, camping and horseback riding. She was dedicated to helping and carrying for her siblings, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

She is survived by her daughter, Tina Marie Fischer and Tina's husband Mark; two grandchildren, Sandra Kay Bergman and Donald Joseph (Joey) Souza III and Joey's wife Tori; two great grandsons; and one great granddaughter expected in July. Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Kenneth Tyson; brothers, Irvin Harold Willis and Jack Ray Willis; sister, Marjorie Faye (Willis) Grondahl; and daughter, Cindy Diane (Cranor) Bashaw. 

Funeral services will be scheduled for family and friends and a memorial Mass will be scheduled at St. Jude Catholic Church at San Patricio, NM. Graveside services will be private for family and friends and held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St Jude's Children’s Hospital. 

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says:
"There, she is gone!" 
"Gone where?" 
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear the load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!" There are other eyes watching, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: " Here she comes!"