Darlene Dawn Stafford
August 30, 1941 – January 1, 2026
Darlene Dawn (Covert) Stafford, 84, passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 1, 2026, in Anderson. She was born on August 30, 1941, in Barryton, Michigan, the daughter of Roy and Geneva “Fern” (Adams) Covert.
Darlene grew up in the small rural town of Barryton, Michigan, on her family’s dairy farm, alongside her parents and three brothers. Life on the farm was simple, and money was scarce, but their home was filled with love and music. She loved to sing with her brothers, and they harmonized beautifully throughout their lives. As a child, she taught herself to play the piano and often served as the accompanist at church growing up. Her love of music continued throughout her life and was a source of comfort and joy for herself as well as those around her.
In 1962, she married the love of her life, Gilbert Wayne Stafford. Early in their marriage, they lived in Boston, where Darlene graduated from Boston University in 1965. She and Gilbert had four children and were happily married until his death in 2008. Darlene was a devoted homemaker and a loving mother, known for being a wonderful cook and for warmly hosting friends and family in her home. When her youngest children were in middle school and high school, she returned to work, first in the Anderson University Development Office and later for many years as the office manager and administrative assistant at Park Place Church of God in Anderson, where she attended for nearly 50 years.
Darlene loved to travel, see new places, and experience new things. She was a friend to many and known for her thoughtfulness and care for others. Above all, she loved her family deeply and was deeply loved in return. She was a cherished “Nana” to her grandchildren and a beloved “Auntie” to her many nieces and nephews. She will be sorely missed.
Darlene is survived by her children: Matthew (Christina) Stafford, parents of Anya; Heather (Corey) Lowery, parents of Miles and Dominic; Anne (Paul) Stover, parents of Henry, Eleanor, and Julian; and Joshua (Sharon) Stafford, parents of Gwynith, Trenton, and Sofia. She is also survived by her brother, Gary (Jewell) Covert; brothers-in-law Larry (George) Stafford and Rod (Donna) Stafford; her sisters-in-law, Yvonne and Sue; and her many nieces and nephews, including Kora, Zachary, Tim, Barb, Chuck, Janet, David, Randy, Rick, Rita, and Shalom.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Fern Covert; her husband, Gilbert Stafford; her brothers, Larry and Jerry Covert; and her niece, Anita.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Park Place Church of God in Anderson. Burial will follow at East Maplewood Cemetery. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the church in the Bessie Byrum Lounge.
Memorial contributions may be made to Village Project Africa (villageprojectafrica.org).
Online condolences may be shared at www.rozelle-johnson.com