Obituary of Darlene Defoe

Mrs. Darlene French Defoe's address changed from earth to heaven on March 29, 2021 after a short period of declining health. God gave Darlene 72 years on this earth. She is proceeded in death by her husband Richard Defoe, Chippewa Tribe from Red Lake, Minnesota. Parents Mrs. Dinah C. French and Mr. Ned Hill. Grandparents Mr. Ossie Crowe and Mrs. Martha Toineeta Crowe, Mr. Levi Hill and Mrs. Laura Jane Wolfe Hill. Sister Maude E. French Paul and brothers Eugene Nicholas (Nick) French, Dale Morgan French, Jonathan Lee French, Larry Armachain Sr. and brother in law Milburn H. Roach. Surviving sisters are Susannah French Roach of Cache, Oklahoma, Roberta Ann French of Whittier, North Carolina, Deborah Armachain Murphy of Tennessee and sister in law Nora Watford French, of Cherokee, North Carolina. Step daughter Ricci Defoe May of Winnebago, Nebraska. Surviving brothers Eugene M. French of Tallahoma, Tennessee, Ned Armachain of Cherokee, North Carolina and brother in law Wilbur Paul of Cherokee, North Carolina Numerous special nieces, nephews and cousins. Special Fort Sill Indian School Alummi Friends Phyllis Hunter, Hazel Paul and Beverly Wilson. Special Friend Randall Lighthorse. Darlene grew up in Cherokee until leaving to go to Fort Sill Indian School, Lawton, Oklahoma when entering eighth grade. She graduated from Fort Sill Indian School and attended Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas. After graduating from Haskell Institute she was employed by the Indian Health Service, Headquarters Office, located in /Rockville, Maryland for 15 years. After marriage Darlene and Richard moved back to Cherokee. She was employed by Tukasegee Mills and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). Her latest position was with the EBCI Police Department, Office of Investigations, until retirement. Darlene enjoyed helping people and held past memberships and positions in tne North American Indian Women's Association, Cherokee Baptist Women's Auxiliary, Fort Sill Indian School Alumni Association. . . Darlene was a member of the Yellow Hill Baptist Church. In her latter years of life was a faithful attendee of the Big Cove Pentecostal Holiness Church. She loved going to church and worshipping her Savior Jesus Christ. She was a intercessory prayer warrior and a witness for Jesus Christ. Officiating services is Pastor Roberta Ann French, Big Cove Pentecostal Holiness Church, Cherokee, North Carolina. Pallbearers are family and friends. Homegoing Services will be held Tuesday, April 6, 2021, 11 am - 12 noon viewing, 12 pm - 1 pm services, interment will be in French Family Cemetery, Lambert Branch Road, Cherokee, North Carolina. Crisp Funeral Home Services in Bryson City, North Carolina is assisting family with the services. Masks and social distancing is requested.