Darlene Ellen Chilcoat Eaton passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on February 27,2025 in McAlester, OK. She was born on April 6, 1930, in Council Hill, Oklahoma, to C. Clifton and Pearl B. Holland.

Darlene's early years were shaped by the Great Depression leading her to be raised initially by her beloved grandparents, Lon and Ellen Brazil, in Boynton, Oklahoma. She cherished the time spent with her grandfather- known to her affectionately as "papa", who instilled in her a lifelong love of music.

After her mother's remarriage to George Chilcoat in 1934,Darlene and her family moved to Muskogee, where she attended Longfellow School. Her family later relocated to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, during World War II, where she excelled academically, skipping a grade and thriving in high school sororities. In 1946, at age 16, she enrolled at Northeastern State University and received the highest entrance exam score of the year. She majored in Art and minored in English.

It was at NSU that Darlene met Frank Eaton, the love of her life. After a courtship filled with dances and shared classes, they were married in July 1947 at the First Presbyterian Church in Claremore, Oklahoma. Their marriage endured Frank's service in the Korean War, during which he fell ill while stationed in Japan, ultimately being diagnosed with lupus. Upon his return, they settled in Claremore. Darlene worked as a bookkeeper for Rogers County Bank and then took care of the business office of Claremore Clinic while Frank was the County Superintendent of Schools for Rogers County.

In 1959, Darlene had her first child in Claremore, and stopped working, devoting herself to raising her family. Over the years, they lived in Ardmore, Lone Grove, Antlers, and finally Muskogee, Oklahoma.

In later years, Darlene enjoyed the comfort of assisted living communities, including Dogwood Creek in Muskogee and Van Buren House in McAlester. She lived a long, fulfilling life, filled with love and cherished memories.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Lon and Ellen Brazil, parents Pearl and Clifton Holland, stepfather George Chilcoat, half-brother Robert Chilcoat, and husband, Frank Musgrove Eaton, Jr., and survived by sister-in-law Roberta Chilcoat of Urbanna, Va, half-sister Adah Fay Holland Pearcy of Greenwood, AR, half-brother Henry Clyde Holland of Greenwood, AR, her children: Dr. Frank Musgrove Eaton, III and wife Michelle of Mt Vernon, IL, Walter Ross Eaton and wife Beth of McAlester, OK, Deana Ellen Eaton of Tulsa, OK, grandchildren: Kyle Christopher Eaton of Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Evan Mitchell Eaton of Champions Gate, FL, Carter Ross Eaton and wife Maisie of Rogers, AR, and Graham Matthew Eaton, McAlester, OK, along with other extended family, friends, and caregivers, who will forever hold her dear in their hearts.

The family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at Chaney-Harkins Funeral Home.

A Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 7, 2025 at Rice Funeral Home in Claremore, OK with burial following the service at Woodlawn Cemetery.