Darlene Frances (Kosman) Epps, 65, passed from this life on Wednesday, July 20, 2011, at her home in Springfield , MO surrounded by her family. Darlene was born on November 21, 1945, in Des Moines , IA , the daughter of Virginia and Edward Kosman. She graduated from St. Joseph ’s Academy before going to work for Metropolitan Life Insurance in Des Moines . On July 2, 1966, she married LeRoy Epps and to their union four children were born. Darlene retired after 23 years of dedicated public service as a Supervisor for the State of Missouri ’s Division of Child Support Enforcement.
Darlene is survived by her husband of 45 years, LeRoy Epps, of Springfield, MO; their four children and their spouses: Christopher (Milissa) Epps of Phoenix, AZ, Lisa (David) Kean of Ozark, MO, Mark (Julia) Epps of Springfield and Vincent (Alicia) Epps of De Soto, MO; her nine grandchildren: Brett Epps (22), Riley Todd (18), Zachary Epps (18), Anna Epps (11), Nathaniel Kean (9), Lydia Epps (8), Andrew Kean (6), Joel Epps (6) and Ava Epps (4); her brother Bernard Kosman of Des Moines; and her eight sisters and their spouses: Patricia (Robert) Olson of Sioux City, IA, Joyce (Albert) Martinez of Des Moines, Marilyn (Bill) Cox of Des Moines, Kathryn Kosman of Estes Park, CO, Karen (Bryan) Cox of Panora, IA, Mary (Ron) Anderson of Fort Collins, CO and Madonna (Bob) Warner of West Des Moines; and her eleven nieces and thirteen nephews.
Darlene was preceded in death by her two infant brothers, James and Joseph Kosman, her parents, Virginia and Edward Kosman, and her niece, Jessica Houghton.
Visitation will take place on Friday, August 5, 2011, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home North in Springfield . A Memorial Celebration of Darlene’s Life will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2011, from 12:00-10:00 p.m. at the Valley Water Mill Equestrian Center at 4007 N. Farm Road 171 in Springfield . Interment will take place at Springfield National Cemetery in a private ceremony at a later date. Please call Greenlawn Funeral Home North for directions and information. In lieu of flowers, Darlene’s family requests tribute donations be made in Darlene’s name at www.caringbridge.org/visit/darleneepps
Jeremiah 29:11-13 — For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.