The memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Jimmy Mize officiating. Family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, 2011 at Heartland Funeral Home in Early, TX

Darlene Barnett Smith, 66, of Brownwood passed away on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011.

She was born January 26, 1945, in Bakersfield, California to Durward and Ada Mae Barnett. Darlene graduated from Terral, OK. in 1963 where she married her high school sweetheart Paul Smith. She and Paul moved to Wichita Falls where they had one son, Philip Smith. Darlene worked at Bethania Hospital in Wichita Falls as a surgical nurse until 1979. That year she accepted a position offered by Dr. Richard Moore in a new orthopedic practice he was opening in Brownwood. Darlene and Philip relocated to Brownwood and she worked for Dr. Moore for the next 10 years. In 1991 she received her associate’s degree in nursing. She worked at BRMC as an RN for many years.

While orthopedic nursing was her passion, she excelled as an ER and surgical nurse. Darlene retired from nursing in 2006. She was a long time member of the First Christian Church in Brownwood and a member of the Red Hat Society. Darlene continuously doted on the greatest joys in life, her grandchildren Courtney and Zackary.

She is survived by her son Philip Wayne and daughter in law Sheila Smith; grandchildren, Courtney and Zackary; sisters, Scharlene and Dorothy; nieces, Kathleen, Terri K, Rebecca, Susan, Michelle, and Diana; nephew, Charles and her dearest lifelong friend Charmain Stewart.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother.