Life Reflections

Darlene Annette Turner-Penn was born to the union of Lloyd Thurston Turner and Carrie Bell Turner on June 25, 1960, in Hackensack, New Jersey. Darlene accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at a young age and was baptized at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Hackensack. As an adult, Darlene relocated from Lakewood, New Jersey, to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1985. There, she met her late husband, Quintin Robert Penn, Jr., and during their marriage, they were active members of...

Life Reflections

Darlene Annette Turner-Penn was born to the union of Lloyd Thurston Turner and Carrie Bell Turner on June 25, 1960, in Hackensack, New Jersey. Darlene accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at a young age and was baptized at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Hackensack. As an adult, Darlene relocated from Lakewood, New Jersey, to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1985. There, she met her late husband, Quintin Robert Penn, Jr., and during their marriage, they were active members of Union Baptist Church.

Darlene was a nurse by trade and worked for numerous hospitals in the Greater Cincinnati area for over two decades before retiring.  

Darlene was a servant leader, dedicated volunteer, visionary, and she loved the Lord. Darlene had a passion for young women and never missed an opportunity to share the love of God with whoever would listen. Her most significant contribution was the development and vision of "Grandma's Hands," a concept where Darlene desired to bridge the generational gap between grandparents and their grandchildren. In 2009, Darlene began volunteering at her granddaughter's school, the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA), to provide additional support for her daughter. Within a year, Darlene became one of the most prominent and well-known volunteers at the school. During this time, Darlene realized that her granddaughter was not the only child who needed support. So, Darlene developed relationships with school officials, parents, and grandparents to provide resources for the children of SCPA. She coordinated after-school tutoring, offered emotional support to families, and even warm socks every now and then for children in need. Where there was a need, Darlene’s mission was to fulfill it. In addition to serving the community, Darlene also sowed seeds of her time and resources to various church ministries throughout the Greater Cincinnati area. Some of her most notable ministry contributions consisted of volunteering at Vacation Bible School, managing Toy for Tots, and facilitating The Esther Circle Program for young girls. Darlene loved to serve others, and she never met a stranger, but her greatest joy was being a mother and grandmother, a role in life that she deeply cherished.

Darlene was predeceased by her husband, Quintin Robert Penn, Jr., and her beloved father Lloyd Thurston Turner. She leaves behind to carry on her legacy four children, Anthony Jacoby Dinwiddie, Lloyd Thurston Dinwiddie; Jamie Dannielle Dinwiddie; and Montinez Christopher Davis II. She also leaves behind eight beautiful grandchildren, Safira, JaCobby, Kameryn, Nelly, Mimi, Montinez, Skii, and Blu. She is also survived by her mother, Carrie Bell Turner (NJ), two sisters Stephanie Clarington [Elizer] - NJ, Karen Okechukwu [ThankGod] - NJ, a niece and nephew, Victoria and Nikolai, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.