Eleanor DeLane "Ellie" Darby Bedingfield died on Saturday, August 30, 2025 in Oklahoma City at the age of 96

Ellie was born in Marshall, Oklahoma on December 19, 1928 to Jessie Harold Darby and Esther Viola (Casteel) Darby. She attended schools in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, graduating from Lexington High School in 1946. Ellie was a residential and commercial loan closer for many years and retired from Southwest Title and Trust Company as an Escrow and Trust Officer.

For over 60 years, Ellie was a member of Hillcrest Presbyterian Church where she faithfully served and organized The Hillcresters, a group of retirees that met once a month for games and occasional trips. After retiring, Ellie volunteered at Hillcrest Hospital, the Regional Food Bank and the Urban Mission. She loved gardening, PBS, OU & OSU football, the nickel and dime slots at the casino, and later scratch-off cards. And finally, Ellie was an avid reader, and particularly liked James Patterson, Danielle Steel and was most recently a fan of Freda McFadden – compliments of Tracy's recommendation.

Ellie was preceded in death by two daughters, Mila Catherine Bedingfield and Lynn Ann Bedingfield, her mother and father and two sisters, Betty Jones and Joann Robertson. She is survived by her daughter, Debra Bedingfield Dowell and son-in-law Ken Dowell, grandsons Timothy Dowell and wife Tracy and Jonathan Dowell and wife Stacia. She is also survived by her five great-grandchildren Jesse, Charlie, Lucye, Myla and Paisley.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hillcrest Presbyterian Church at 6600 S. Pennsylvania Ave, OKC, OK 73159 or The Urban Mission at 3737 N. Portland Ave, OKC, OK 73112.