Darla Jean Bickers Edwards left this earthly life and began life in her Heavenly home on August 19, 2021, after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. Darla was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, April 26, 1943. Her family relocated to California in 1950, where they remained until they moved to Ogden, Utah following her father’s work. Darla graduated from high school there in 1961 and then relocated back to California. She worked in the aircraft industry in southern California until she married Edward DeCloedt, and they had two sons, Lonnie Gerald and Jeffrey Todd. Many years later she married Robert “Rocky” Rockwell.
Darla worked for several years in a financial planning firm in Los Angeles and then for many years in a law office in Orange County, CA. She was a deeply spiritual person, having been “born again” at an Oral Roberts revival when she was 13. She served for many years as a volunteer in various churches, but her favorite ministry was with the babies and small children ministry at the Saddleback Community Church in Lake Forest, CA.
Darla loved square dancing, and she and her husband Rocky joined a square dancing club, The Rambling Rogues, where they had many friends. Darla eventually became president of the club. Church and square dancing were their favorite activity until they moved to The Villages, FL in 2003. Darlas mother, Elaine, moved with them, and they joined the Village View Community Church, where they quickly became involved with the life and ministries of the church. In fact, Darla was hired as an administrative assistant and worked on the staff doing many jobs until she retired until 2012. She was best known for the many ocean cruises and bus trips she organized and led for the church members who wanted to travel as a group.
Darla married her current husband, Rev. John Edwards in 2009. She is survived by her husband John, her son, Todd Decloedt of Lake Hughes, CA, her sister, Debbie Doyle of Gig Harbor, WA, and nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her son Lonnie; parents, Gerland and Elaine Bickers; a sister, Gayle, her late husband, Rocky Rockwell, and her former husband, Edward DeCloedt.
A Celebration of Life service will be at Village View Community Church on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Village View Christian Academy.
