The Queen Bee of the Doolittle family for over 60 years, peacefully left us on December 9, 2017.    Born in July of 1935 in the farming community of Burton KS.  In the mid 40's, her parents and 2 brothers moved to Richmond Ca, where her father started and operated a small community food market and mini-golf business.  Upon finishing school she met and married her husband Bill Doolittle and began the family with two sons, Kevin and Kent.  Her husband's transfer to SC in 1960 and then again in 1968, brought them to Springfield MO, where they have made their lifelong home raising their two sons.

Along with the full-time job of raising a family, Darlene also worked many years at Farm and Homes Savings.   She eventually left Farm & Home to join the family business of Doo's Convenience store on S. Campbell for over 16 years.  Always being front & center in the convenience store business allowed her to make 100's & 100's of life-long friends that she always kept in touch with for many years and to this date.    A common statement from so many friends and acquaintances, was, "Darlene was always so kind to me and always accepting of others – always had an open heart."   As the devoted family leader, Dar was the consummate mother, wife, grandmother, mother-in-law, aunt – always providing the family with the key and necessary attributes of love, giving, gentleness, compassion, understanding , nurturing, caring and always an unending selflessness for all.

She is survived by her sons, Kevin and Kent, her GRAND grandchildren, McKenzie, Jordan, Andrew and Goldie, her new great granddaughter as well as Jodell Manley, Debbie Doolittle and Jeanne & Mike Hill.  Additional family are her brother Rod Durflinger and sister-in-law Pam Nesmith, both of CA, as well as Betty Brown and Shelia and Mike Smith of Springfield and her loving rescue westie "Ozzie".  Dear lifelong friends of almost 70 years, are Bill & Doris Chambers of OR, Joe Carridine, George & Sharon Harmon, Glenna & David Seely, and Shelia Lewis all of CA .

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home from 6pm to 8pm.  In lieu of flowers, family requests that memorial contributions be made the Alzheimer's Association or C.A.R.E. Animal Rescue.