Donna Fowler

Donna Fowler, 61, passed from this life on Saturday, February 21, 2009, in Abilene. Her vibrant love of life, family and friends was contagious. Her outward beauty mirrored the inward beauty of her flamboyant, free-spirited personality, bringing a joyful response to all who knew her. Donna's glowing light is not extinguished. It has been elevated to shine down from Heaven on all who knew and loved her. The oldest of three daughters of Jo (Griffin) McCarty and the late Troy D. McCarty, Donna was born on September 26, 1947, in Abilene. She was a 1966 graduate of Abilene High School, and upon graduation from the University of Texas, Austin in 1977, she returned to Abilene to work with Tittle, Luther, Loving Interiors, and never cutting her ties with Tittle Luther Partnership, later opened her own business, Donna Fowler Design. As a Licensed Professional Interior Designer and member of American Society of Interior Design (ASID), Donna enjoyed an impressive career making a profound impact on interior design through her many years of fulfilling the dreams of her clients. Donna's designs can be seen at Abilene Christian University; the Williams Performing Arts Center; the Bob Hunter Welcome Center; Hendrick Medical Center; Cisco Junior College; Hardin-Simmons University; The Tommy Morris Agency; and numerous homes and offices in Abilene and the surrounding area. Her clients soon became her friends, and Donna worked at all of her friendships. A card or note meant so much more than an e-mail, and a hug meant so much more than a handshake. Her spirit will be missed in this world by those who crossed her path, but none more than her husband and soul mate, Brice. They were married on October 25, 1980 in the Chapel of St. Paul United Methodist Church, of which Donna was a member. Donna was a loving daughter, sister, and aunt, as well as step-mother and grandmother. She shared a close and special relationship with her mother, as well as her sisters, nieces, nephews. She enjoyed a very unique relationship with her cherished great-niece, Lara. Her endearing love and attention in all matters won her distinction as the "heart of her family." Donna is survived by her husband and best friend of 30 years, Brice W. Fowler of Abilene; mother, Jo McCarty of Abilene; sisters, June Sanders of Austin and Brenda Reedy and husband Tom, of Denton; stepson Brandon Wade Fowler and wife Rhiannon, of Atlanta, Georgia; and granddaughter, Phoebe Marie Fowler of Atlanta; and her niece Leigh Allison Cerda, nephews Shawn Sanders and Grant Reedy, and great-niece, Lara Elizabeth Cerda, all of Austin. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday at St. Paul United Methodist Church of Abilene, Rev. Tina Cross officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Rescue the Animals, SPCA, 4620 North 1st St., Abilene, TX 79603, or a charity of the donor's choice.