Helen Darlene Ard

Helen Darlene Ard, Darlene Ard, passed away at the young age of 67 on October 24 2018, at 2:45 a.m., surrounded by family in Florence SC. Darlene was born in Kingstree SC and spent her childhood in Lake City SC with her Mother Valentina B. Dillard, her Father Everett L. Dillard, and brother Buddy Lee Dillard that preceded her in death. Darlene worked for several local industries in the area and at the time of her passing was a business owner that was operated by her and her husband, Randolph (Randy) Ard. Darlene was a wonderful mother to 5 kids and a very dedicated wife to an equally wonderful man.She was known in the family by many different names such as, Honey, Grandma, Aunt Darlene, Sis, Gee Gee, and the kid’s just simply called her Mom.Hobbies?There weren’t a lot of times for hobbies outside of watching television and listening to what she called “Good ole country music”.She dedicated her life to others.Her values, efforts, and time, went into raising her kids and grandchildren alike. She was at her happiest with her husband, kids, family, and friends.As her family would all gather in the kitchen, like so many other families do, they would be around that table where many problems would arise and be solved by her. If anyone has ever had the privilege to sit at her special kitchen table you would either receive some of her good home cooking for your body or you were receiving food for your soul. So many lives were touched and blessed around her kitchen table. Like the roots of a mighty oak tree she is unseen, but like those roots her memory and spirit will nourish and give strength to the tree of life that she created in those around her. Her memory will forever remain by the following surviving family members, her devoted husband of 53 years, Randolph Ard; her four sons, Alvin, Jack, Michael and, Scott; one daughter, Crystal Beverly; a sister, Katherine Johnson and a brother, Duke Dud Dillard. All that will miss her tremendously. The family will receive friends from 6 – 8 PM Friday, October 26, 2018 at Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM Saturday in the Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home Chapel.Entombment will follow in the Florence Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Please send messages to the family at the obit section of www.stoudenmiredowling.com.