Darlene Paine

Darlene (Owens) Paine, our “FIESTA”, ended her colorful life here with us and danced into Heaven on June 11, 2025 at the age of 85. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jean (Nolen) and Ancel W. Owens and brother of Tommy Dale and Kay (Millet) Owens, both of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Married to D. Allen Paine of Oklahoma City, she was his ‘Queen’ and he served her wholeheartedly for 54 years. Wedding Anniversary, June 5, 2025. Her absence will be felt in the purple hearts she gave us and filled by her bright beautiful smile and twinkling eyes.

Walk on the sunny side of life and you found Darlene. Not because she was without challenge but because she overcame it. Her light and comfort for others came shining through her SPIRIT that could only be solid based on the unspoken faith she drew on. She didn’t need to quote Bible verses, she was scripture in motion. Her creative nature colored our world and her Purple Heart held room for all and power for the powerless.

"Queen Darlene” and our OU Cheerleader showered us daily with enthusiasm for life. “Greeting Card” was her middle name.

She spent her days thinking of what she could do for others. She never met a stranger and those that began as such quickly became her friends. Whether that was an ideal greeting card, or specialty gift or birthday wrappings that made everyone feel loved, EVERY single holiday was a reason to gather and celebrate. Darlene was all things natural. Simple elegance that came shining through.

Darlene began serving others early. She grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma where, as a teen, she participated in community projects and was named Allied Youth National Teen-of-the-Month while a senior at Central High School. During her junior year, she was secretary and later president of the Tulsa Allied Youth Post, at that time, the largest Allied Youth Post in the nation. Allied Youth, founded in 1931 is an extra-curricular club providing alcohol information for teenagers and promoting ‘fun without drinking’. She spent three years as a cheerleader and then was crowned 1957 Central High School Queen. Boomer Sooner after that, she left for Oklahoma University in Norman, Oklahoma and pledged Delta Gamma in 1957. She was an OU Cheerleader flipping over the Sooners for years.

It was there on campus when the Delta Gamma Pledge Class went to the Phi Psi Pledge Class Meet and Greet that she noticed Allen Paine in his ‘bright yellow sweater’. That moment kicked off their LOVE STORY as Allen said “I am going to date that girl when she gets to OU.”

Darlene and Allen made Oklahoma City shine. Allen, with his long tenure on Boards at OKC Parks and Recreation, Chance to Change and Oklahoma City Beautiful, and Darlene with her fitness classes. She and Allen loved spending time in Sante Fe, NM and had a vacation home there for 35 years. She would tell you they loved shopping, Indian Art and eating. When they traveled, they were adventurous. Hiking the rain forest, climbing an active volcano, swimming with dolphins or paddling around a lake full of piranhas looking with a flood light for Cayman. Their most recent adventure was celebrating their 54th Wedding Anniversary on June 5, 2025. She crossed that finish line and began her tilt toward Heaven; well deserved rest after a valiant fight enduring 15 years of Parkinson’s. Darlene never gave up. She even joined Parkinson Boxing Classes as their star student with highest attendance. Nothing could keep her down. A little less balance on some days but she never let that slow her stride.

She first married an OU Football player and had three children, Jeff Davis Sandefer, wife, Laura (Anderson), Julie Sandefer, husband, Brien O’Connor and Laurie Sandefer. Allen married as well and had three children, Wray Paine, David Paine, and Julie Paine Bergfeld. Those marriages came to a close then Darlene and Allen found each other again and their love story continued. Shortly thereafter, Christopher Paine was born and made the family whole, along with his wife, Jessica (Fairman) and daughter, Sage. Loving family members include Wray and Karrie Paine, Caleb and Caitlynn Paine, son, Jeremiah, Austin and Brecke Paine, son, Shepherd and daughter Lily Ann, Michael Paine, Julie and Derrick Bergfeld, daughter Brooke and son, Derrick. David and Melinda Paine, Nathan Paine, Luke and Tiffany, son, Jordan, Ashley and Blake Toews, son, Liam and daughter, Alma. Grace Horvath, Zachary Horvath, fiancé’ Lucia De La Puente, Amanda (Horvath), husband Sam Elick and son, Maverick, Emma (Horvath), husband Brandon McCain and daughter, Ella May. A special thank you and extended gratitude for our caregiver that became family, Jessica Kersey and her four children. We could not have done this without you by our side at every step of the way!

Our cheerleader was ahead of her time with exercise and health. A connoisseur. Health was Darlene and Darlene owned it. As one who loved daily sunshine, she enjoyed walking and bicycling on her “bike with a basket on front”. She loved aerobic dancing before anyone could spell the word; and even owned her own Dance Studio which she aptly named The Energy Factory. Years of laughter, dance steps and music kept all her friends ‘hopping’. Between that and her

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Lunch bunch, she stayed connected and vibrant. She also taught the ‘Better Backs Class’ 3 mornings a week at Pacer Fitness Center and lead a smoking cessation class one night a week at Integris Hospital. She stayed fit and active teaching classes for 45 years until age 74.

As an avid reader, most of her books were on Living Well, Diet and Exercise and how to improve your health. Those books, her knowledge and wisdom taught her children and grandchildren how to exist without white bread and sodas. And they lived to tell about it! “Balance, inhale/exhale, use it or lose it, motion is lotion, decrease inflammation, go outside for sunshine, move your body, and learn NOW how to manage stress.” This was all over 60 years ago! As we said, cutting edge and ahead of her time.

Foremost the best Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, and Best Friend, she had a shine that only comes from Above. Jesus loves the little children and so did she. Especially tiny babies so fresh from or in Heaven that she can still soothe within moments or giggle with delight.

And we all thank The LORD that she remained ‘balanced’ as the reigning Queen of Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies and an occasional cold Coke from a can!! Whew.

As we said, Darlene is OUR FIESTA.

You might have been blessed to witness and be entertained by Darlene and Allen swing dancing the night away at every chance they could. So….DANCE AWAY from this day forward then inhale/exhale, and never waste a minute not loving on others that you find in your world.

If you find yourself grieving or sorting through life’s muddle, or missing Darlene’s touch……

head for a Braum’s Milkshake and you will find her there.