Darlena Sue Smith

Darlena Sue Smith, 74, of Tyler Mountain, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, after a long battle with heart disease.

Born on October 3, 1951, in Sissonville, West Virginia, Darlena was the daughter of the late Ira and Ardith Haynes. She was a proud 1969 graduate of Sissonville High School, where she enjoyed being a majorette. She worked for UPS for nearly 20 years before retiring in 1994. After taking time away from work to raise her daughter, Darlena and her Aunt Nancy Casto opened Sugarbaskets in South Charleston. Together, they successfully operated the business for eight years before choosing to close the store so Darlena could devote more time to her family.

Darlena was a faithful member of Harper Memorial Gospel Tabernacle for more than 35 years. During that time, she served as a Sunday School teacher and shared her love for the Lord with countless children who she adored.

Her life was a beautiful example of faith, resilience, love, and devotion to family. Darlena was married to the love of her life, Mark Smith, for 43 wonderful years, sharing a love story admired by all who knew them. Her home was truly the heart of her family — a welcoming place where holidays were celebrated, memories were made, and everyone felt loved. She had a remarkable gift for making people feel valued and important, loving others unconditionally and without expectation. Above all, she cherished being a wife, mother, and Mamaw. To know Darlena was to love her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Travis King; daughter, Lisa King; sisters, Diana Masterson and Dreama Haynes; granddaughter, Jordan Comer; and great-grandson, Mykel Hanshaw.

Left to cherish her memory are her beloved husband, Mark Smith; daughter, Amanda (Jeremy) Comer; grandchildren, Brandon (Jackie), Bridget, Ashley (Zack), Michael (Sarah), Joey (Brandi), Madison (Keshon), Hailee (Ed), Bryne (Leah), Nicole, and Braedyn; great-grandchildren, Justin, Kailynn, Braelynn, Erin, Kinzlee, Rynlee, Dustin, Kambri, Alyssa, Taylor, and Brennen; sister, Deborah Haynes; daughter in law, Phyllis; and a host of loving family members and friends.

A funeral service celebrating Darlena’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Keller Funeral Home with Reverend Jim Russell officiating. Burial will follow at Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.