Marlene Canley was born November 15, 1944, in Hondo, Texas. She was the middle child of fifteen born to Marvin and Emma Bell Fleming.

She moved to a small West Texas town by the name of Lamesa. There she went on to graduate from Blackshear High School in 1962 with Valedictorian Honors. There she became an all-state point guard in basketball. Marlene arrived in Santa Barbara in 1963. This is where she met and married Lavell Canley in 1965. To this union, they had two sons, Shawn and Sheldon Canley. Although the marriage ended in divorce, Marlene and Lavell remained the best of friends.

Marlene worked as a banker for several years when she arrived in Santa Barbara in the early 1960's.

Marlene was a very beautiful woman inside and out. She also was very loyal to her family and friends. She loved her kids and grandkids tremendously.

Marlene loved to watch her favorite westerns, dance, playing cards and dominoes. However, spending time with her family was always a top priority.

Marlene departed this life and entered her eternal rest, on August 19, 2017 with her family by her side.

She leaves to cherish her memories, her two sons, Shawn (Tina) and Sheldon (Ernestine) both of Lompoc; three sisters, Lanell (Ronnie) Cooper of Lompoc; Rosie (Fred) Collins of Bryan, TX and Ida Jo Crenshaw of Arlington, TX; two brothers, Steven of Arlington, and Dennis Fleming of Bryan; seven grandchildren, Manuel, Alexis, D'Artagnan, Dallas, Brianna, Sheldon and Christine, all of Lompoc, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held in her honor at 11am on Saturday, September 16th at the chapel of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary.