Billie Darlene Gooding was born on February 24, 1931, in Hebbronville, Jim Hogg County, Texas. She was the eldest daughter to Floy and William Morris. After battling cancer off and on for a number of years, she went peacefully to be with her Lord on Saturday, August 25, 2018.
Darlene moved to Santa Paula, CA with her parents and sister in June of 1949. Her father, William, was a Field Superintendent for Humble Oil Co. (now ExxonMobil) and he had been transferred to California. Darlene was a 1949 graduate of Webster High School in Webster, Texas.
Darlene married Clifford W. Galbraith in 1950. They had four children – Daniel, Stacey, Shelley, and Steve. Darlene and Clifford divorced in 1969. In 1970, Darlene married John (Bud) Gooding.
Over the years Darlene worked in several clerical, bookkeeping, and managerial positions. She was a co-owner of Santa Paula Lanes with her husband Bud from 1976 until they sold it in 1992. Darlene was actively involved in the management of Gooding Ranch until her son, Dan, was named manager in 2008.
Darlene is preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy (Cissie) Stringer, Clifford Galbraith, John Gooding, her two daughters, Stacey Nasalroad and Shelley Signor, and daughter-in-law Linda Galbraith. Darlene is survived by sons Dan and Steve, seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, sons-in-law Brad Nasalroad and Gene Signor, and daughter-in-law Brenda Galbraith.
Per Darlene’s wishes, there will be a private family graveside service in Santa Paula, CA.