Effie Darlene Bolton was born on April 25, 1935 in New Baden, Texas to parents, Lucius Ferman Starkey and Vena Smith Starkey.  She entered eternal life on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at the age of 86 years.

Darlene was a 1953 graduate of Franklin High School.  She met her sweetheart who later became her husband, D.A. in the first grade at New Baden School.  She married Deward Abner "D.A." Bolton on April 30, 1955 at the New Baden Baptist Church and to the union two children were born, Debbie and Judy. Darlene was a resident of Franklin most of her life.  She was of the Baptist faith and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter number 311, Franklin, Texas.

Darlene had an infectious smile and always saw the good in people.  She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, always sweet and understanding.  She received great satisfaction spending time in her garden and loved her flowers.  Darlene enjoyed traveling, playing card games and hunting with her husband.  Darlene was a true genuine lady that was loved by so many.  She will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched.

She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Edna Jo McNutt; brothers, Ferman Forrest "Steve Starkey" and Ken Starkey.

She is survived by her loving husband of sixty-six years, D.A. Bolton of Franklin; daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and Harvey Branch of Bremond and Judy and Mike Moeller of New Braunfels; brother, Rondal Starkey of Spring; five Grandchildren: Janet Duplessis, Jamie Peters and husband Matt, Westley Fraunhofer and wife Virginia and Corey Fraunhofer and Shelby Moeller; four great grandchildren: Katherine Duplessis, Elizabeth Duplessis, Finley Fraunhofer and Francis Fraunhofer

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.  Pastor Jimmy Sanders will officiate.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery Association P.O. Box 184 New Baden, Texas 77870.