Lavoise Celest Donnell

With her eyes set on the goal to join with God’s people in Paradise, Lavoise Celeste Donnell realized that hope on Monday, February 8, 2016 at 93 years old. The last song she heard just before leaving this life was her granddaughter singing “Jesus is Tenderly Calling.” Her journey began August 9, 1922 in Lingleville, Texas. Growing up during the “Great Depression” helped her appreciate family and friends who worked together to see it through those trying years. Family was always one of the most important parts of her life. Additionally, her church family was also treasured. She was baptized into Christ at a young age and never turned back. Although not a trained educator, she taught the Word of God through Vacation Bible School for over 50 years, Sunday church classes, to Navajo children on the Navajo reservation in northwestern New Mexico, during summer youth camps and to special needs children. Wherever there was an opportunity to share the Word, she delighted in doing so. She was a civilian at Poyote Air Force Base where she met her husband-to-be. In a few years, they moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico and lived there for about 20 years. From there they moved to be near their oldest son and his family in DeQueen, Arkansas and later moved to Abilene to be near their youngest son and his family. Lavoise was preceded in death by her husband Ray Donnell, her parents Walter and Ola Jones, a brother, Claburne Jones and his wife Helen of Kermit, her twin sister Elois Lundie and her husband Edward of Alamogordo, New Mexico, and brother Doyle Jones. She is survived by sons Clifford Donnell and his wife Becky of Mountainburg, Arkansas, and Nils Donnell and his wife Martha of Abilene. Also, her grandchildren, Kyle Donnell of Abilene, Selinda Donnell Taylor and husband Mike of Henrietta, Scott Donnell and wife Jenna of Fayetteville, Arkansas; along with great grandchildren Lauren and Logan Taylor of Henrietta and Jake Donnell of Fayetteville, Arkansas. She also has her beloved nieces Sheila Bouten of Alamogordo NM, Linda Reeves of Lufkin and Wanda Howard of Kermit and nephew Eddie Lundie of California. She also has a special cousin Leon Haynes and Doris of Coleman. Lavoise appreciated many people in a special way for their help during this last difficult period of her earthly life. These included Naomi Stephens of Snyder, John and Peggy Day, the church family at 5th and Grape, Dr. Gary Holland, and the Encompass Home Health care providers especially Cookie, Catherine and David. Most of all, Selinda Donnell Taylor who stayed at her bedside until she left this world for the better one. Services will be held at The Hamil Family Funeral Home on Friday February 12 at 1:00 p.m. Mike Bonner, preacher for the church of Christ at 5th and Grape and her grandson-in-law Mike Taylor will officiate. Burial will be in the Abilene Municipal Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, February 11, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Lavoise requests donations be sent to either the Children’s Home of Lubbock, PO Box 2824 Lubbock TX 79408 to honor their work and granddaughter Selinda, or another favorite charity, the Williams Syndrome Association, 570 Kirts Blvd, Ste 223 Troy MI 48084-4156 in honor of her grandson Kyle Donnell.