Darlene Groat Cuevas

Darlene “Lee” Groat Cuevas, 59, of Gulfport, Mississippi, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, July 18, 2026.

Born September 2, 1966, in Camden, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Richard Groat and Alice Winsch Groat. Growing up in a full household she knew well the quiet sacrifices of large family life; Lee later made the Mississippi Gulf Coast her home. 

She completed some college coursework at Jefferson Davis with a focus on early childhood and special education. For many years she served as a beloved special-needs school bus driver for the Harrison County School District, holding a CDL for special-needs transport. She took genuine pride in the children she carried each day and was known for the care and steadiness she brought to that work. 

Lee’s greatest joys were simple and lasting: reading novels by Kindle light, crocheting, listening to music, following Saints football, NASCAR, and wrestling, and—above all—playing card games and other games with her grandchildren. She loved studying her Bible and never missed an opportunity to tell people about Jesus. Her faith was sure, steady, and shared freely. She was baptized at and attended Crossroads United Pentecostal Church (UPCI) in Crossroads, Mississippi. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard Boyd Groat and Alice Elizabeth Winsch Groat; her husband, Mark Anthony Cuevas Sr; her mother-in-law, Sharon Simmons; her siblings(in-love) Melissa Harris and Matthew Jenkins; and her grandson Caeston Cuevas (Son of James & Samantha).

Lee is survived by her three children: Mark Cuevas Jr. and his wife Valerie; James Cuevas and his wife Samantha; and Virginia Dobrowolski and her husband Anthony.

She was the proud grandmother of: Cole, Mark III, Julius, Gideon, and Samuel (children of Mark and Valerie); Cameron, Candon, Caebren, and Caeslyn (children of James and Samantha); and Damian, Devery, Darrian, and Rayne (children of Virginia and Anthony).

She is also survived by her (Groat) siblings Ronald Groat, Diane Groat, Raymond Groat, Randy Groat, and Dennise Humfress; as well as being mourned by Sharon's daughters Marie Yake, Michelle Nance, and Maxine Smith; and by many nieces and nephews; and by a wide circle of friends and coworkers who were touched by her kindness and her faith.

Visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14, 2026, at Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home, O'Neal Road, Gulfport.  There will be a private interment and gathering on Saturday, August 15, 2026. 

The family extends special thanks to Crossroads United Pentecostal Church for their care and support. 

Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home, O'Neal Road, Gulfport, is honored to serve the family of Darlene Groat Cuevas.