Darlene Kay Rouse, age 80, of Lyles, Tennessee, passed away in Dickson, Tennessee, on July 26, 2025. She was born Darlene McCall — a woman whose life was a tapestry woven with faith, love, family, and countless little moments that made her unforgettable. Darlene was, above all else, a woman of God. Her faith was the bedrock of her life. She didn’t have to tell you about her Christianity — you could see it in the way she lived. She loved others deeply, forgave freely, and served with a heart full of grace.

She was the devoted wife of her late husband, Clarence Rouse. Together they built a life founded on faith, family, and love, raising their children — Candy (Steve) Holley, Tommy (Jenny) Rouse, and Scotty Rouse, siblings, Karon, Sharon and Mary Jane. Though Clarence’s passing left an empty place in her heart, today we find comfort in knowing that she is reunited with the love of her life.

Darlene was “Granny” to many, and she cherished that role more than anything. Her grandchildren — Jessica Gonzalez, K.C. Beaty, Billy Davis, Tiffany Brewington, Zachary Rouse, Bryan Rouse, Michael Selenas, and Landon Rouse — knew they were deeply loved. She had a gift for making each one feel like the most important person in the room. And her joy multiplied with the arrival of her great-grandchildren — Erica, Jonathan, Braedon, Mia, Kadeance, Gage, Lilly, Aubrie, Jace, and James — who brought her endless pride and happiness. Her love didn’t stop with family by blood. She held close family friends — Claytie Lee, James Poteet, and Brittney Lee — as if they were her own, and Chelsea Wade had a special place in her heart as another granddaughter.

In addition to her parents Darlene is preceded in death by her husband Clarence Junior Rouse, Grandson Brian Keith Beaty and four siblings.

If you knew Darlene, you knew about her kitchen. She could turn the simplest ingredients into something extraordinary, and her home always smelled like comfort itself. Meals weren’t just food — they were her way of showing love, of bringing people together. Even now, certain tastes and smells will always take us back to her table. When she wasn’t cooking, Darlene was often crocheting. The blankets she created were more than yarn and stitches; they were hugs that you could wrap yourself in, carrying her warmth long after she was gone.

She also enjoyed her little pleasures — her soap operas, cooking shows, and Hallmark movies. They brought her moments of quiet joy, and we can all picture her settled into her favorite spot, a familiar show playing in the background, maybe with something simmering on the stove.
Darlene’s gift was her ability to make everyone feel welcome and loved. She listened with her whole heart, and her hugs could make even the heaviest burdens feel lighter. She taught us that family isn’t just about blood — it’s about the love you give and the lives you touch.

We find comfort knowing Darlene has gone home — home to the Savior she trusted so dearly, and home to Clarence, whose absence she felt every day. Rest in peace, Granny Darlene. We’ll miss you more than words can say, but your love will continue to live on in each of us — in every meal we share, every story we tell, and every blanket that wraps us in the warmth of your memory.

Burial will be 2 Aug 2025 at Wrigley Cemetery, Lyles, TN.

McDonald Funeral Home in Centerville, Tennessee is honored to be serving the Rouse Family during this difficult time.