Darla Renee Ash, of Willard, passed away on Friday, March 30, 2018, at the age of 54.

Darla was born on March 1, 1964 to Charles and Linda (Coble) Dowdy in Springfield, MO.

As a young girl Darla accepted Jesus as her savior, was baptized, and became a member of the First Baptist Church of Everton. Darla graduated from Everton High School in 1982 and went on to graduate in 1984 from Graff-Vocational Technical School of Nursing.  She quickly began her nursing career and enjoyed helping her patients at many of the area nursing home facilities.  Darla was an avid Dallas Cowboy fan and enjoyed watching the games.  She also enjoyed the quieter times that reading a good book would bring. Most of all, Darla loved being with her friends and family. She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all those that knew and loved her.

Darla is survived by her mother, Linda Mallory of Willard; two daughters, Leah Dowdy and Whitney Ash both of TX; granddaughter; Makayla Dowdy-Argueta of TX; two sisters; Carla Parnell of Willard and Sheila Farnham of TX; 2 nieces; 1 nephew; 1 great niece; 2 great nephews; cousins; other family, many friends, and her faithful canine companion, Cosmo Ash.

Darla was preceded in death by the father who raised her, Kenneth Mallory; her husband, Michael Ash; niece, Tara Newcomer; and brother-in-law, Richard Farnham.

Darla was a caring and giving person.   She made one of the most generous decisions one can make, that of organ donation that gave life to others.

Visitation will be Friday, April 6, 2018 from 6:00PM-8:00PM at Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home, Ash Grove, MO.  Funeral services will be Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 2:00PM at the funeral home with burial to follow in Greene Lawn Cemetery, Walnut Grove, MO.