Hazel Darlene (Proctor) Bright, age 88, a resident of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away Monday, October 31, 2022, at LMH Health.
Darlene was born in Effingham, Kansas on July 18, 1934, the daughter of Lester D. and Hazel (Hudson) Proctor. Darlene married Robert Bright on June 7, 1953, and they had two children: Terrence Lee Bright and Jeffrey Lynn Bright.
As a young woman, Darlene worked at several downtown Lawrence businesses, including the Granada Theater and Weaver’s Department Store. Once married and for most of her adult years, she was an active civic volunteer with such organizations as the Douglas County Extension Service, Cottonwood 4-H Club, and American Red Cross. Darlene was a member of the First Christian Church in Lawrence where she taught Sunday and Vacation Bible Schools, made and donated crafts for holiday bazaars, and chaired a committee providing funeral dinners for families. As an active homemaker, she loved to cook and bake, sew, quilt, shop, and spend time with her family and friends. She always had a quest for knowledge and displayed care for others.
She is survived by her husband: Bob Bright, of the home; by her children: Terry Bright and wife Kathy (Carpenter) Bright of Duncanville, Texas and Jeff Bright and husband Steve Gass of Kansas City, Missouri; by her three grandchildren: Joshua Bright; Jacob Bright; and Jordan (Bright) Montasser and husband Rob Montasser; and by eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Carol (Proctor) Guy and her husband John Guy as well as her brother Robert Proctor and his wife Kathy Proctor and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. Her parents and her brothers Richard Proctor and Lester N. Proctor predeceased her.
A private graveside service will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2022, at Lawrence Memorial Park Cemetery. There is no scheduled family visitation; however, friends may still call if desired at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, from 12 noon until 8:00 p.m. The casket will remain closed.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the First Christian Church of Lawrence, Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association, or any other preferred charity/non-profit organization and may be left at or mailed to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044. Online condolences may be made at www.rumsey-yost.com .
Arrangements are under the direction of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory.
