Donna Gayle Wills

Donna Gayle Wills, 84, passed from this life July 3, 2019 in Enid, Oklahoma. She was born Donna Gayle Barney in Drummond, Oklahoma on May 26, 1935. Her parents, who preceded her in death, were Donald A. & Linnie (Rogers) Barney. Growing up in Enid, Donna graduated Enid High School in 1954 then Enid Business College in 1963. After graduation, Donna worked as a bookkeeper, a tax preparer, house cleaner, a saleswoman for Avon, and finally a librarian’s assistant from 1999 to 2012.
Donna volunteered in the IRS programs for VITA and TCE for 17 years. She also volunteered at the Enid Senior Citizen’s Center until she moved to Cleveland in 1995. In Cleveland, Donna continued to volunteer until she began working for the Cleveland Library as a librarian’s assistant. She mentored children both at the library and her home for several years through the library’s mentoring program, the summer reading program and story-time. Shut-in’s and nursing home residence throughout Cleveland enjoyed her delivering books to them. Whether it was about books, taxes, or the internet, Donna loved being there to answer people’s questions. Donna’s hobbies were helping and serving others, reading, walking, talking and working in the yard or garden.
April 1, 1958, Donna accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior, and was baptized at the Davis Park Christian Church in Enid, Oklahoma. From 1970 to 1976, she loved teaching Sunday school and bible school at the United Church of Christ as well as the Methodist Church in Drummond, Oklahoma. In November 2006, Donna lost her oldest son, Rodney Phillips. Then in January 2007, she lost her husband, Melvin, and her world almost ceased to exist. With the love and help of her heavenly Father, her younger son, Jerry, and her friends’ support, she realized she still had a lot of work to do here on Earth. Donna then re-dedicated her life to Jesus in 2008 at the First Christian Church in Cleveland, Oklahoma.
Surviving Donna is her son, Jerry, of Bellevue, Nebraska; 9 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; several cousins; her church family; her special friend, Jennifer James; and her library friends. Services are under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home in Cleveland, Oklahoma.
A burial will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery in Enid, Oklahoma at 10:00am Wednesday, July 10, 2019. Friends can sign an online guestbook and share memories at www.chapman-black.com.