of Little Rock, AR

September 20, 1945 - May 1, 2024

Joy Darlene Harris Burch, after receiving last rites with her family by her side, broke the bonds of earth to be with her Lord on May 1, 2024. She was preceded in death by her parents, William (Bill) and Edythe Harris; stepfather, Don Roberts and two brothers, Billy Joe and Jack Harris.

Darlene was born Sept. 20, 1945 and grew up in Hot Springs. She graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1963 where she was a member of the T Steppers drill team, the Thespians, choir and Student Council. After high school she attended Henderson State University working toward a BSE in Health and Physical Education. She was a member of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority. It was there she met the love of her life, Ron Burch, from Arkadelphia. They married the summer before their senior year on August 20, 1966 and graduated together at the end of the spring semester of 1967.

In 1973 Darlene began a teaching career at Little Rock Cloverdale Junior High. In 1985, she received a Master's in Secondary Education from the University of Arkansas Fayetteville. For over 30 years, Darlene taught Health and Special Education for the Pulaski County Special School District. She retired from PCSSD in 2005 after having taught at Fuller Middle School for 28 years. During her tenure, she trained prospective educators in the Teachers of Tomorrow Program and she received a special award of appreciation from the district for her service on the Committee on Evaluation of Biracial Educational Implementation in the Classroom. She took pride in being a dedicated teacher and mentor to her students.

Darlene enjoyed traveling and had a well stamped passport. She and Ron especially enjoyed cruising and had gone on 22 cruises all over the world. Over the years they had the opportunity to visit most of the states and many of the National Parks in the United States. She loved working crossword puzzles and playing cards and board games with friends. She was an avid reader and loved country music. Darlene was fun to be around, was a loyal friend and was known for her sense of humor.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory the love of her life, husband, Ron; two children, Ron Burch Jr. (wife, Kathleen) and Melissa (husband, Matt) Hensley; four grandsons, Collin and Nathan Hensley and Jackson and Michael Burch; two special cousins, Barbara Wilson Bale and Jolynn Wilson Robinson and her best friend of over 30 years, Dr. Vickie Logan.

The family offers a special thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Dr. Stephen Tilley Clinic, the Good Shepherd Nursing and Rehabilitation facility and the Baptist Health Medical Center for their care, kindness and patience.

A memorial service will be handled by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home at the Pinnacle Church of Christ, 1 Shackelford Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 1:30pm, with Bro. Don Moore officiating and Dr. Vickie Logan bringing remarks and eulogy. The family visitation beginning at 12:30pm. Private Burial will follow at Forest Hills Cemetery, 10200 AR Hwy 5, Alexander. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Arkansas Children's Hospital.

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