"My heart is heavy at just finding out Ms Darphene went home to be with the Lord. She was a sweet Woman who truly loved the lord and singing. She is definitely missed by all...Rest in peace Ms Darphene. My prayers are with your family! Humbly Submitted, Beatrice Floyd and family"
In loving memory of
Darphine (Toston) Spraling
February 1, 1949 - April 10, 2020
Darphine Toston-Spraling was born February 1, 1949 to Margella Pearse and James
Toston, in Dermott, Ark.
Darphine knew and loved the Lord and at an early age of three, she joined Silvermont
Missionary Baptist Church, when at that age she began singing. She attended Morris Booker Memorial College and after graduation 1967, she enrolled and attended Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark majoring in Music. She moved to Omaha, NE in the late summer of 1970 to be with her family and ready to work. Darphine worked at Bergan Mercy Hospital as a Neo-Natal nurse before becoming a Respiratory Therapist there. She completed the Certified Nursing Assistant Program at OOIC in 2000. Due to illness, she had to retire early, leaving the medical field that she loved so much.
Prior to uniting with Salem Baptist Church, she had briefly attended Cleaves Temple
C.M.E. Church with her mom and dad, Margella and Charlie Sullivan Jr., always ready
to sing when asked. She was an active member at Salem Baptist Church, where she
participated in several choirs. She was featured as a lead singer on the Salem Baptist
Church Inspirational Choir album I Dont Feel Noways Tired, singing Lets Lift Up The
Christ. Darphine also attended and sung in the Gospel Musical Workshop and Faith
Temples Midnight Special.
Darphine married Larry Spraling in 1973 which ended in a divorce. Even though there
weren't any children born into this union, she loved to encourage her nieces and
nephews, and making sure they knew how much God loved them, not only did she tell
them, but to the many children she mentored throughout her lifetime. She was always in
ministry mode, her favorite saying and the motto she lived by was, If I can help
somebody, then my living will not be in vain.
She preceded in death her parents, Margella and Charlie Sullivan, James
Toston(biological dad), grandparents, Aunt Ocie Lee Pearse, brothers Charles
E.Sullivan, Todd Toston, and Sharon Foster-Miller, sister.
Darphine departed this life unexpectedly on Friday April 10, 2020. She leaves to cherish
her memories 5 sisters: Bobbie Pointer(Anthony, Sr.), Cincinnati OH, Dian
Burroughs(John), Memphis TN, Eardie B.Wiliams(Maurice), Omaha NE, Jessie Toston,
St Louis MO, Delise Craven(Daryel), St. Louis MO, 5 brothers: Leonard Sullivan(Joann)
Omaha NE, Harvey Sullivan, Blue Springs MO, Garon Foster(Augusta), Omaha NE,
Don Kenneth Toston(Helena), St. Louis MO, Larry Toston, San Jose CA, uncles Alonzo Sullivan(Deloris), Memphis, TN, Lonnie Sullivan(Mattie), Omaha, NE and a host of
nieces, nephews. Aunts, Uncles, and cousins.
Tributes
"We met at the age of eleven at the Seven Star Missionary Baptist church. She sung Run Sinner Run. We attended school together in Dermott AR. After High School graduation it was 48 years before I saw her again. She sung Run Sinner Run for me again. It moved me to tears. I will see her again in Heaven. I will ask her to sing Run Sinner Run again. Samuel T Taylor"
"Mrs. Darphine was a friend and my sister in Christ. I loved her and lm sad to here of her passing. Mrs Darphine new if l was around she always had a way to get where she needed to be. She loved to sing and talk about her healings from God. I loved to here her stories about the goodness of God, so lm sure she is happy. Love Mrs Darphine"
"My Mother and I knew Darphine Sprauling for yrs. She lived at Crown Tower and she would put Fashion shows a lot. We're gonna Miss Mother Darphine. R. I.P."
"Darphine..a true woman of God. You never greeted me without proclaiming the goodness of God in your life. Not only did you use your beautiful voice for singing, you never failed to tell people about the importance of voting and making a difference in their community. You will truly be missed. RIH Miss Lady."
"A faithful servant dedicated to Christ and expressing her love for Him through song and study of His Word. Thank you, my Sister in Christ, for your many kind words and assistance to spread the Gospel at the J.C. Wade Villa. Rest in Heaven!"
"To The Family Of Darphine Spraling, We share in your loss today. We pray that God will give you comfort and strength in days ahead! Prayfully Submitted, Augustus and Kaynette McNair"
"Remembering My Sister She was my sister, yet so much more She was an angel, that Im forever grateful for She was a gift, to me, and to so many she gave She was a light, in and through her Gods goodness she gave Her voice was strong, a powerful testimony she shared Her voice brought tears of joy, it lifted despair Precious Lord, Amazing Grace, On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand She sung us all happy; both at home and across the land Darphine, even now, I can hear you, and it makes me glad Ill cry, Ill be sorry, but because of your spirit --- I wont be sad Ill be thankful that God blessed my life, giving me such a strong example of grace You, your life, your words, your smile, all are now welcomed in His heavenly place You gave us all you had, and well miss you for sure, I love you, my dear sister, and I know theres a great celebration awaiting you as you walk through heavens doors! RIH."
"Darphine's voice was extraordinary, and it was evident as she put her heart and soul into her singing. She reminded me of the woman in Matthew 26:7, whose offering was the precious ointment from her alabaster box, which she gave to anoint Jesus for His burial. Darphine's offering was her voice which glorified God, an offering that she gave freely and lovingly. Now she is with the Lord that she sang about. Praise God."
"Prayers for family she will be singing in Heaven .you will be missed"
"Prayers for the Family "
"She was a very beautiful lady, beautiful voice. Songbird has take flight home, rest in Heaven Darphine, your birthday buddy Feb 1 Linda Marion"
"Salem has truly lost a faithful talented woman of God. You truly loved the Lord! You used your God given gifts for the Lord. You fought a good fight and kept the faith. Take your rest in Heaven you have earned it. Good night sweet Angel. Gone never forgotten."
"An anointed and humble woman of God that touched the lives of many with her unmistakable voice. Darphine, you will never be forgotten. Rest in eternal peace."
"Songbird you will be missed down here, but celebrated in Paradise ! Rest Darphine !Love Lessie "
"My friend, you will be missed dearly. Your kind spirit and your awesome voice in song will never be copied or duplicated you're an original. Heaven gain another Angel to Lift up the Christ. You've fought a good fight now it's time to take your rest in the arms of Jesus!"
"My Condolences "
"It is at this time, the family is missing a love one. Whenever we talked, we always ended with" I will talk to you later." So long Darphine, take your rest, I'll talk to you later. Your cuz."
"Thank you for lending your musical talents whenever they were needed. The Adult Choir Faith Temple COGIC"
"To God be the glory for a life lived for the Kingdom,I never forget the gift you share with the world,be at rest in his arms."
"What a sweet voice coming from a sweet lady. Rest well and handle the soprano section in the heavenly choir. So many are there to greet you. Love Lady D."
"Darphine was a very gifted but humble gospel singer. Her love for Christ and her passion for people radiated through her voice. The world - especially Omaha - was a much better place because she passed this way. May her memory live forever!"
"Only fitting that the Lord called her home during Holy week--Good Friday. She was a songbird, a family member and a true woman of God. RIH Darphine."