Darlene Joann Watkins Nowell

Darlene Joann Nowell
Sunrise September 20, 1947 – Sunset June 2, 2022
Darlene Joann Watkins Nowell was born September 20th, 1947, in Columbus, Ohio, to the late Gus and Martha Watkins. She passed away Thursday, June 2, 2022, at Mt. Carmel East Hospital. Darlene was a proud graduate of Columbus East High School, Class of 1965, and also attended Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio.
After years of living in North Carolina, Connecticut, and Indiana, Darlene returned home to Columbus to be close to family. She spent many years working for the Columbus Metropolitan Library, serving at several branches, and also Outreach Services, including the Book Mobile and delivering books to Seniors and those that were homebound. She retired with nearly 30 years of service.
Darlene was a wonderful cook, who enjoyed cooking for her family and friends. She was known for her potato salad, fried corn, cherry crisp, Christmas cookies, and German Chocolate cake (minus the coconut per the family’s request!). She also loved to play cards, Po-Ke-No, and bingo, and hosted the weekly family bid whist game for the last several years.
Darlene loved being the big sister of “them Watkins girls”! She and her sisters spent countless hours together shopping, eating out, and getting into some form of trouble! In true big sister fashion, she was a confidant. You could trust her to keep any secret.
Darlene especially loved all of the children in the family. In addition to her son Dwayne, she helped raise all of her nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, giving them all their first taste of coffee! Her heart was full when she spoke of her son, granddaughters Janelle and Jessica, and great nephew Marvon, who were her pride and joy.
Darlene was a member of the Triedstone Missionary Baptist Church, where she was also a member of Sweetie’s Book Club, until her health no longer permitted.
Darlene is predeceased by her parents, husband James Nowell, brother Ronald Watkins, and nephew Kai Lamar.
She is survived by son Dwayne Brown, granddaughters Janelle and Jessica Brown, sisters Beverly McCaskill and Diane Johnson, cousin Michael Watkins, sister-in-law Jan Watkins, God daughter Chelsea Smith, special companion Wayne Miller, and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Visitation 6:00 PM and Funeral Service 7:00 PM Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at Triedstone Missionary Baptist Church, 858 E. 3rd Ave. Ministry of Comfort entrusted to MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE NORTH, 2500 Cleveland Ave. To stream the service visit https://www.triedstonebaptistchurch.org/live-video-stream. To read the complete obituary, order flowers, view video tribute and offer condolences to The WATKINS NOWELL Family, visit www.TheChapelofPeace.com