Mary Elizabeth Darling

Mary Elizabeth Darling

Mary Elizabeth Darling, age 91, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away on July 5, 2022, at Guest Home Estates, Fort Scott.

Mary was born on March 4, 1931, on a farm a mile south of Uniontown, Kan., the second of four daughters of Roy and Mildred McKee. She attended the Uniontown school system with her elementary education taking place in a one-room schoolhouse. She was married to Rodell “Rodie” Darling on April 29, 1950, in Uniontown.

Well known throughout Fort Scott, Mary had a long and varied work career. One of her first jobs as a young woman was at Key Work Clothes. She also worked at the Quincy Lumber Yard, the First Methodist Church office, the USD 234 Board of Education office, Whiteside’s grocery store, and the Bourbon County Vehicle Tag office. At one time she was also a real estate agent.

Mary enjoyed many activities throughout her life and could often be seen walking throughout Fort Scott. Beginning in the mid-1970s Mary and Rodie became accomplished square dancers and participated extensively as members of the Iza Stompers Square Dance Club. Mary’s biggest joy in life was her family and on numerous occasions she traveled near and far to be with them.

Survivors include her husband Rodell, of the home; one son, Clay Darling (Virginia), Pittsburg, Kan.; two grandchildren, Elizabeth Hope Darling (Ryan), Pittsburg, and Linden Reid Collins (Austin), Dallas, Texas; three great-grandchildren, Eden Darling, Pittsburg, Ruby Darling Collins and Reid Yeager Collins, Dallas; her sister Esther Holt, Uniontown; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Linda Sue Collins; and two sisters, Maxine Ebberts and Carol Mix.

Mary was loved by her family and friends and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.

Services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 9, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Guest Home Estates and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.