Darlene Oma Reynolds-Keys
February 6, 1937 - January 19, 2024
Darlene’s siblings are Nathelda Reynolds-Latimer, Birdie Jean Reynolds, Lawrence Neal Reynolds, Robert Ray Reynolds, and Michael Francis Medina.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Lonnie Royal Keys.
Sons: Perry Edward (Judy), Lonnie Vaughn (Julie), Royal R. (Sheril) and Ross Montgomery (Tia) Keys.
15 grandchildren: Amber Thiebold, Perry Daniel Keys, Justin James Keys, Helene Desire’e Keys, Autumn Suzzanne Laforce, Jeremy Ka’ano’i Keys, Judiette AlohiAkala Ormond, Brent, Jacob Keys, Aleeda Amber Keys, Royal Arthur Keys, Nicole Kristian Keys, Roshell A. Keys, Branden Michael Keys, Maylene Legaspi, and Alec Tith.
20 great grandchildren and counting…
Pallbearers: Perry Daniel Keys, Justin James Keys, Jeremy Ka’ano’i Keys, Brent Jacob Keys, Branden Michael Keys, and Alec Tith.
Darlene Oma Reynolds was born on a balmy California winter day, the 6th of February 1937, in Santa Ana, California. She is the daughter of Lawrence Edward Reynolds of Springville, Utah and Helen Almeda Packard of Boise, Idaho. The fourth of six children, the third daughter, she grew up spending her time between Springville, Utah and Brentwood, California. Darlene loved to fish and swim in the river. She worked in her family’s Chinese restaurant and later Burger Hut, during high school. Darlene was quite active in sports, baseball and served on the Girls Athletic Association Board of Directors. She belonged to the FFA and Choir. She graduated in June 1956 with honors. She began working in San Francisco, California, where she lived with her aunt Vera and Uncle Ted Whitke, as a telephone operator. She married her high school sweetheart, Lonnie Royal Keys on December 29, 1956, in Brentwood, California. Upon Lonnie’s graduation in June of 1957, the newlyweds embarked on a three-year adventure in Europe while Lonnie served in the USAF stationed at Augsburg, Germany. In 1958, they welcomed their first of four sons, Perry Edward. Shortly after returning to Brentwood in 1960, they were blessed with their second son, Lonnie Vaughn. By 1962, they lived in Tracy, California where their third son, Royal R. was born. Soon after, business brought them to a little blue house on South Adrienne Street in Stockton, California where in 1964, their fourth son, Ross Montgomery, made his debut. They lived, laughed, and loved as a family in this place, trying their hand in at chicken ranching, running carwashes and laundromats along with managing rentals and remodels and her boys growing up. In the early 80’s the opportunity to adventure arrived once again as the plane landed in Anchorage, Alaska. Here Darlene thrived. She loved her ward and spending time with her grandchildren. Six years later, she and Lonnie had the opportunity to move to Eureka, California. There she enjoyed several years reconnecting with her sister Jean, the best catfish cook ever! Darlene became an incredible family historian! Her contributions are many and amazing. She loved her family deeply. She was a great mom and looked forward to every opportunity she got to have her four boys together at once. She is no doubt, thrilled to see them here today. If one could use only a single word to describe Darlene it would have to be “Love”.
VISITATION
A visitation will be held from 10:00am - 12:30pm on Saturday, February 10th, 2024 at Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.
SERVICE
A graveside service will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, February 10th, 2024 at Cherokee Memorial Park, located off Highway 99 at Harney Lane, Lodi CA, 95240.
Everyone is welcome to come enjoy a luncheon following the service at: 1920 White Lane, Stockton, Califonia 95215.
Please leave your condolences below.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Keys family.