Dallas native Darlene Penn Brazell was at home with her family, and in the comforting care of angels from Compass Hospice, when her spirit left this earth on Tuesday May 30, 2017. She is now in heaven with her beloved husband, Alvin Merril Brazell, of Tolar, Texas. Darlene, born blind, entered this life on September 20, 1932. Joining big brother John, her parents were Finus and Wilda Penn. Darlene spent much of her formative years in Austin as a boarding student of The Texas School for the Blind, from which she graduated with a high school diploma in 1951. Though facing many challenges as blind person, Darlene married Alvin on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1953. Initially they settled in Dallas, managing their home and raising their two daughters, Pattie and Kim. They relocated to Duncanville in 1963. During those years, she was active in the blind community, enjoyed a loyal partnership with several guide dogs, and served in leadership positions with local, state, and national organizations for the blind. After rearing her two daughters in Duncanville, Darlene entered the world of paid employment. Using a unique dual system of Braille cards, she served six years as the substitute teacher coordinator for the Mesquite Independent School District. After moving to Midland in 1985, she worked for several years as dispatcher for the Visiting Nurses Association. During this period, she added new technology to her vocational skill set by using a computer, screen reader, cell phone, fax, and a Braille printer. Even after retiring, Darlene continued to be engaged as a volunteer throughout the majority of her life, including active participation with Alvin in the Community and Senior Services of Midland and the Suburban Lions Club of Midland. Returning to Duncan-ville in 2003, Darlene and Alvin quickly became involved in the Duncanville Noon Lions Club and joined the First Christian Church of Duncanville. Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, and her husband. She is survived by her daughters Pattie Brazell Orr and Kim Brazell Trusty; sons-in-law Stephen Orr and Michael Trusty; granddaughters Ivy Orr Hamerly and Kristin Trusty Bukovec; grandsons-in-law Gregory Hamerly and Daniel Bukovec; great grandsons Luke Ansel Hamerly, Eric Stephen James Hamerly, and Elijah Miroslav Bukovec, and great granddaughter Verona Bell Bukovec. Visitation will be from 6-8 pm Thursday, June 1 at Jaynes Memorial Chapel in Duncanville. A graveside service will be held at Stroud Creek Cemetery in Tolar at 10 am on Friday June 2.
Published in Dallas Morning News on June 1, 2017