Darlene Roy, 1945-2023; Was SIUE Alumna, Golden Graduate, Co-Founder of Eugene B. Redmond Writers Club
Darlene Roy, of East St. Louis, died Saturday, March 25 in St. Louis. She was 77.
Roy earned a bachelor’s in sociology from SIUE in August 1967. While at SIUE, she was initiated into the Epsilon Xi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in May 1965.
Roy was honored as an SIUE Golden Graduate in the inaugural celebration on May 6, 2017.
Roy’s involvement with SIUE was steadfast and lifelong. As a prolific writer, Roy co-founded the Eugene B. Redmond (EBR) Writers Club, named for the SIUE emeritus professor of English, East St. Louis Poet Laureate and nationally known author, editor and photographer. Roy was the first EBR Writers Club president, having served until the time of her death. She also served as the associate editor of the “Drumvoices Revue: A Confluence of Literary, Cultural and Vision Arts,” a joint effort between the EBR Writers Club and SIUE.
An Omega Omega service will be held at 9:30 a.m., visitation will be at 10 a.m. and funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 1 at New Life Community Church, 1919 State Street, East St. Louis.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Officer Funeral Home in East St. Louis.