Ruth Darlene Maltie

On August 1, 1946, Darlene Ruth Jackson was born in Colfax, Louisiana, the second girl of nine children to Naomi and Odell Jackson, Sr. From folding sheets at the family’s dry-cleaning business to raising half the neighborhood, Darlene’s life was marked by hard work, love, and a good dose of sass.

She married Richard “RH” Maltie, raising children, Tammie, Keith, and Duweda, and later welcomed Susie with a smooth marine named Ernest Robey. But Mama Darlene’s home was never empty—she went on to raise Carlos “Big NuNu” II, Tandee, Roland, Christen, and eventually her “baby boy” Carlos “Lil NuNu” III … proving motherhood was her true calling.

Darlene worked in nursing, home health care, pet grooming, and more—if it meant serving others, she did it. She was even a licensed daycare owner and foster care provider. She was famous for her open door, her hot meals, and her real talk. Sugarcoating wasn’t her style—if you asked her opinion, you got it raw and honest. And somehow, you always left with a full belly and a fuller heart.

In 2011, she followed her children and grandchildren to Texas, where her home once again became the headquarters of family life. Whether you were kin, a friend, or a stranger who “just needed a place to crash,” Mama Darlene had room for you.

On September 5, 2025, at 6:18 p.m., surrounded by love, Mama Darlene went home to be with the Lord. She is reunited with her parents, siblings, nieces, and loved ones gone before her. She leaves behind her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless others who called her “Mama.”

Darlene was love wrapped in strength, laughter wrapped in wisdom, and a matriarch wrapped in REAL TALK. She will be missed, remembered, and celebrated forever.

Rest easy, Mama Darlene—job well done.