Darlene Hartley

Darlene Vey Hartley, 74, of Batesburg, passed away Sunday, May 9, 2021. Born in Harrisburg, PA, she was the daughter of the late Joseph H. Appleton and Harriet Thompson Appleton. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church of Monetta, SC.

Darlene Hartley was a graduate of Batesburg-Leesville High School and worked at various jobs before she found her passion for helping children in the community. She worked in the Aiken County Public School System at Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary School as a teacher assistant, a bus driver, a computer lab proctor, and a library assistant. Mrs. Hartley is remembered by former students mostly from her beloved puppet duck, Petunia, who helped her entertain children through stories, books, and songs. Former students of Mrs. Hartley still reminisce about Petunia and the fun Mrs. Hartley would have with her.

Mrs. Hartley also was a generous and kind woman who always had a heart for other people. The light of God would shine through Mrs. Hartley in everything she would do and she was able to touch the lives of so many families and children in our community. Her compassion for others was always a trademark for her as she never met a stranger wherever she went.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Chevis Hartley; a daughter, Kipp Palmer (Kenneth); grandchildren, Curran Hartley (Heather), Seth Preston Hartley, McKenna Vey Palmer, Kelson William Palmer; and daughter-in-law, Lisa Hartley. She is also survived by her brothers, Lawrence Appleton (Delores), James Appleton (Loretta); and a brother-in-law, Ronald Hartley, as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Brent Curran Hartley, and a brother, Joey Appleton.

The service for Mrs. Hartley will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 15th at Milton Shealy Funeral Home, 115 N. Pine Street Batesburg. The Rev. Richard Senterfeit and Rev. Preston West will officiate. The family will receive friends and family prior to the service beginning from 1 until 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bethel Baptist Church, The Connie Maxwell Home in Greenwood, SC, or the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.