Dona Marie (Souders) Connell, a longtime resident of Dewar, Oklahoma, passed from this life in the early morning hours of Friday, January 4, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 89. Dona was born on November 15, 1929 in Nuyaka, Oklahoma to James William Souders and Sula (Rippy) Souders. Dona grew up a very proud daughter and member of a pastor’s family.
She was a longtime member of the Assembly of God church in several different Oklahoma communities. Recently, she had been attending the New Life Church of Henryetta. Dona married the love of her life, Jim Jefferson Connell on May 20, 1953 in Nuyaka, Oklahoma.
They remained happily married for 62 years until Jim’s death in 2015. Dona worked for approximately 20 years at the Henryetta Hospital as a dietary aide, before her retirement. Dona was a loving sister, daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother and she will be greatly missed by the many who knew and loved her.
She is preceded in death by her husband Jim Connell; her mother and father; a son-in-law, Jim Parsley, a sister, Geneva Souders; and other relatives. Dona is survived by three children, Donna Parsley of Henryetta, James Connell and wife Candy of Dewar, and ReBecca Yandell and husband Robert of Beggs, OK; six grandchildren, Daniel McIntosh of Henryetta, Chuck McIntosh of Henryetta, Joe McIntosh and wife Hannah of Henryetta, Misty Baker and husband Jimmy of Dewar, Christina Cantrell of Beggs, and Jonathan Yandell and wife Angela of Ardmore, OK; eight great grandchildren, Morgan Owen, Jasmine McIntosh, Cody Baker, Danielle Baker, Drake Cantrell, Jake Cantrell, and Roman Yandell and Eva Jane Yandell; three sisters, Lola Taylor of Beggs, OK, Betty Haynes and husband Jim of Twin Hills, and Sara Denham of Crescent, OK; one brother, Paul Souders and wife Thelma of Nuyaka, OK; a brother-in-law, Bill Connell of Yale, OK; three sisters-in-law, Carolyn McKinney and husband Bill of Inola, Erma Stuckey and husband David of Moore, OK, and Jackie Connell of Dover; by other extended family and many good friends. Viewing will be held at Integrity Funeral Service of Henryetta on Monday, January 7, 2019 from 3:00pm until 8:00pm and on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 from 8:00am until 8:00pm.
The family will be present to meet and greet guests on Tuesday evening from 6:00pm until 8:00pm. A funeral service for Dona will be held at 1:00pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at Integrity Chapel with Rev. Robert Yandell officiating, assisted by Rev.
Jonathan Yandell. Interment will follow immediately at Okmulgee Cemetery under the direction of Integrity Funeral Service. Pallbearers will be Joe McIntosh, Chuck McIntosh, Jonathan Yandell, Jimmy Baker, Dale Huckabay, and Troy Byrd.
Honorary bearers will be Daniel McIntosh, Dee Tabor, and Troy Barnett.
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