Darlene Valeda Oden

Darlene Valeda Oden, 66, of Waterloo, died Sunday, June 12, 2021, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. She was born September 22, 1954, in Waterloo, the daughter of the late Henry and Ruby Gray Oden. She was a graduate of Waterloo East High School.

She married Walter "James" Leach, and they were later divorced. She married Roy Lee Jones, Sr., they were later divorced. She then married Thomas Wells, Sr., they were later divorced.

Darlene worked a cook for the Boys and Girls Club.

Survived by: three daughters, Valeda Anderson of Dallas, TX, Chandra Oden and Joylene Jones, both of Waterloo; three sons, Dante Hunter of Waterloo, Roy (Nigi) Jones, Jr. of Tamarac, FL, Thomas Wells, Jr. of Waterloo; 17 grandchildren, Cordaryl Anderson of Dallas, TX, Sha'precia, Raikenya and DaeQuan Hunter, Devontay Bentancourt, Moranda, Martez and Moeyanna McGee, Trinity, Bryson, Payton and Odyn Jones, Ke'andre and Kadisha Owens, Kushun Evans, Ke'Ara and Kyrell Simpson all of Waterloo; 5 great-grandchildren; a brother, Marquis Gray of Waterloo; a special niece, Monette Oden of Waterloo; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Preceded in death by: her parents and one sister, Virginia Oden.