Three black and white vintage photos of a smiling woman with short hair, wearing different outfits: the first in a light-colored dress, the second in a white dress with a hat, and the third in a dress with a dark top and light skirt, photographed outdoors and near a car.

Darlene Sharon Marie Brown was born to Winfred G. Brown and Emeline H. Brown on January 13, 1957 in Westmoreland, Jamaica. Older sister of two, Darlene was known for her fierce love of Jesus, no nonsense attitude, wit, and love of fashion.

Student ID card from University of Baltimore for Darlene S. Brown, showing her photo, name, academic year 1973-74, and signature.

Darlene attended Westwood High School in Stewart Town, Jamaica; one of the island’s oldest and most prestigious all-girls institutions.

After matriculating with academic honors, she boldly left Jamaica, moving to Baltimore, Maryland where she attended University of Baltimore at the age of 17 years old.

Her 48 year marriage to Basette Smith began as a teenage courtship that blossomed from a chance meeting at a church convention in Jamaica. They married in Baltimore on October 9, 1977. Their union brought 5 children.

A framed black and white photo of a bride and groom on their wedding day, with two lit candles on either side, placed on a table.
Group of five people sitting and standing in a living room, smiling at the camera, with a framed painting and lamps in the background.

Breighton Smith, Dr. Sherunda Josey, Allana Smith, Jasmine Braswell, Basette Smith II

Darlene was known for her beautiful soprano voice and she shared her musical talents with the Greater Cincinnati area as a member of the Mason Chorale in Mason, Ohio.

Darlene was a faithful wife and a selfless mother and grandmother, who enjoyed playing tennis, sewing, crocheting, doing line dances, traveling, and solving crossword puzzles.

A noted “techie”, Darlene loved the latest gadgets and kept up with the newest technology, a passion that earned her the affectionate moniker “Techno” by her family.

A woman in a black dress with silver embellishments speaking into a microphone at a formal event, with people seated at tables in the background.

In addition to serving as a devoted wife, mother of 5, grandmother of 10, and entrepreneur alongside her husband Basette, Darlene decided to return to school. At age 42, she attended the University of Dayton School of Law, where she graduated with her Juris Doctorate.

In 2003, she founded her own law firm, Smith Law Offices, where she served as a well respected and beloved attorney throughout the Greater Cincinnati area.

A middle-aged woman with dark hair styled in a bob, wearing pearl earrings, layered pearl necklaces, a white shirt, and a light gray blazer, standing indoors with beige curtains and a window behind her.

Darlene lived her life for the Lord in all ways. She is remembered for her selfless love for her family, her integrity in business, her love for technology, and for her unending pursuit of self-improvement.

Darlene is survived by her husband, Basette; their 5 children; Basette (Joy) Smith II, Dr. Sherunda (Laraun) Josey, Breighton (Stephanie) Smith, Jasmine (Cortney) Braswell, and Allana Smith; her sister Joyce Brown Gibson, her brother-in-love David Gibson, and her grandchildren—Emelyn, Samira, Ezekiel, Laraun Jr., Laila, Brennen, Cameron, Lauren, Isaiah, and Cayden.