June Darlene Abbe

June Darlene Carpenter Abbe, 83, of Waco, Texas, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2025. Service is a graveside family gathering at Waco Memorial, 10:30 am, December 26, 2025.

Darlene lived a life defined by service, creativity, faith, and an extraordinary gift for caring for others. She worked as a medical receptionist and was the proud owner of Campus Flowers & Party Shoppe, where her talents and welcoming spirit blessed many. No matter where she was, Darlene had a way of making people feel seen, valued, and well fed.

Her passion was cooking and feeding anyone who needed it. Her kitchen was a place of comfort, conversation, and love. She was especially known for baking and decorating cakes for birthdays, weddings, and celebrations of all kinds. Her children’s favorite memories of gathering around the table were the many pizza nights at their house with church friends — singing around the piano, laughing, and embracing the love of a larger extended church family.

Darlene was deeply involved in supporting Robinson ISD in countless ways. Her children fondly remember the cinnamon sucker fundraisers that gathered a ton of kids over more than a decade whenever there was a school need to be met. It was always about the kids — many of whom were made to feel like family amid sticky sucker shenanigans, laughter, and genuine care.

Darlene was baptized at Memorial Baptist Church and later her family served at Beverly Hills Baptist Church, and Highland Baptist Church. In her later years, she was a faithful member of Crossroads Fellowship Church in Woodway, where her heart for people and community found a home. She was especially proud of her son Steve Abbe and his wife Cyndi, who helped start the church with a desire to connect with people who were searching and needed a place to belong. Darlene's children summed up her life with one unique reflection: she was able to forgive others with ease and comfort, demonstrating the biblical call given in scripture. Her children consider this a treasured legacy they will continue to be lived out.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Beatrice Carpenter; her husband, Dewey Abbe; and her children, Steve Abbe and Dana Abbe.

She is survived by her children, Rick and Suzanne Abbe, Bryan and Darla Cross, and Cyndi Abbe; her sister, Sharon Philbrick, and husband Jon; her nine grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; and her many nieces, nephews, and cousins who brought her endless laughter, joy, and entertainment.

Darlene’s legacy lives on in the meals she shared, the cakes she lovingly created, the children she championed, and the family she treasured. She will be remembered for her generosity, her creativity, her faith, and her unwavering desire to make others feel loved.

The family would like to thank the 5th Floor North nurses of Baylor Scott & White, as well as their hospice nurses, who offered an abundance of love and support during a very difficult time. The family also wishes to thank the fourth floor nursing staff of Providence Assention St. Catherine's Center for their loving care and attention to our mom, she loved you all.