Donna Irene Jay

Donna Irene Muffett Jay,78, of Abilene, passed away Monday, September 19, 2011 at a local hospital. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, September 20 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. A second visitation will be held on Wednesday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Higginbotham Funeral Home, 219 West Roberts in Gorman. A graveside service will follow at 1:00 pm in the Gorman City Cemetery. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home in Abilene. Donna was born October 29, 1932 in Hammond, Indiana to Arnold and Margaret (Buchman) Muffett. She lived most of her life in Texas. Donna married William "Bill" Jay in Ft. Worth, Texas on May 4, 1956. They were married for 55 years. Donna was a beloved wife and mother. She loved her family and was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her intimate friends were extremely important to her. Donna enjoyed redecorating and painting. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Billy A. Muffett. Donna is survived by her husband, Bill Jay; her daughter, Phala Jay; her son, William Kelly Jay and wife Christi, all of Abilene; her sister-in-law, Janet Muffett of Monroe, Louisiana; her brother-in-law, Thurman Jay of Gorman; four grandchildren, Jacky Jay, Tana Allmand and husband Robert, Lauren Fowler and husband Ryan, Kasey Jay; five great-grandchildren, Jordan Allmand, Colten Allmand, Brennan Allmand, Truett Fowler and Linkan Jay; as well as many nephews and nieces by choice. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, (ATTN: Frann Smith) 3109 Over St., Abilene, TX 79605. "Life is but a stopping place A pause in what's to be, A resting place along the road To sweet Eternity, We all have different journeys, Different paths along the way, We all were meant to learn some things, But never meant to stay . . . Our destination is a place Far greater than we know, For some, the journey's quicker, For some the journey's slow. And when the journey finally ends, We'll claim a great reward And find an everlasting peace Together with the Lord."