Gilma Darbe

Gilma Loree Darbe, 84, of Neodesha, passed away Tuesday, August 20, 2019, at the Morningstar Care Home in Neodesha after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.  Gilma was born on June 6, 1935, in Garnett, Kansas, to Arthur and Bertha (Collins) Goins. She married Charles A. Clark in June 1963.  He preceded her in death in 1979.  They had one daughter, Charlene.

Gilma was a devoted wife and mother--homemaking was her life until the death of Charles, at which time she became a single, working parent.  She worked tirelessly and without complaint as a bookkeeper to keep her home intact and put food on the table.

What Gilma loved most of all was her family--her daughter, son-in-law, their children, and her siblings.  She spent nearly all her time when she was not working with her family.  She was ruthless in games and took great delight in sending her grandchildren back to the start or causing them to draw extra cards for their hand.  Either scenario would cause to her dissolve in a fit of giggles.

She also loved gardening, reading, and watching old westerns, and believed that little Joe from Bonanza was the cutest cowboy ever.

Gilma married Ben Darbe in 1998.  They later separated.

Gilma attended the Bible Holiness Church and, later, the Lighthouse Baptist Church.

Gilma was preceded in death by her mother, father, and five of her siblings--Dilwyn Goins, Wilma (Goins) Schaper, Deloss Goins, Olin Goins, and Willard Goins.  She is survived by her daughter, Charlene (Clark) Sutton; son-in-law, Mike; five grandchildren, Amanda Sutton, John Sutton, Jessica (Sutton) Wheat, Joshua Sutton, Shawn Sutton; and two great-grandchildren, Emily Sutton and Mikel Sutton.  She is also survived by a sister, Wilda (Goins) Graf and a brother, Elbert Goins, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gilma will be laid to rest in a private service for immediate family members. To leav the family a special message of condolence, please visit www.pottsfuneralhome.com.