Donnis Irene Stanley

Donnis was born on July 18, 1941, in Kansas, Oklahoma, to Maggie and Tom Pilcher. During her childhood, she helped her family on their dairy farm, caring for the animals and working in the garden. She developed a passion for cooking at an early age, learning many for her recipes and techniques from her mother, Maggie. She became an exceptional cook, and her family and friends truly loved and appreciated her meals.

Donnis married the love of her life, Jerry Stanley, on June 30, 1958, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. She went on to pursue her education, completing high school and later earning her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Northeastern State University in 1971. She continued her academic journey by obtaining her Master’s degree in 1991.

Donnis was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother and educator who deeply cherished her family and community. She dedicated 36 years of her life to teaching at Leach Public School, where she made a lasting impact on countless students and families through her compassion, guidance, and commitment to education. She especially cherished the time she spent driving her grandchildren to school in the “Blue Bus” (a 1992 blue Chevy extended cab) and took great pride in having the opportunity to teach each of them in the fourth grade. Donnis retired from teaching in 2007; although her memory faded in her final days, she continued to teach as if nothing had changed.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Stanley; her parents, Maggie and Tom Pilcher; and her brother, Ronnie Pilcher and sister, Phillis Drake, who went on to join Donnis 3 days after her passing.

She is survived by her five children: Brian Stanley and wife Maxine of Teresita, Oklahoma; Eric Stanley and wife Ida of Teresita, Oklahoma; Alaka Back and husband Michael of Leach, Oklahoma; Robin Hutchins and husband Jr of Leach, Oklahoma; and Drew Stanley and wife Shawna of Teresita, Oklahoma. She is also survived by her brother, Junior Pilcher of Kansas, Oklahoma.

Donnis was blessed with 17 grandchildren: Lucas, Jami, Wendall, Derrick, Kyle, Sheena, Tyler, Nathan, Jascon, Cherri, Rashelle, Stevi, Alex, Kaley, J’Lynne, Logan, and Connor. She was further blessed with 33 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her immense joy and pride. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Donnis will be remembered for her kindness, strength, and unwavering dedication to her family and her students. Her legacy lives on through the many lives she touched, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A funeral service will be held at Lowery Free Will Baptist Church in Rose, OK on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 10:00 am with Pastor Terry Wofford and Pastor Keith Marler officiating.

She will be laid to rest at Kansas Cemetery in Kansas. Pallbearers will be Lucas Stanley, Wendall Stanley, Derrick Stanley, Kyle Teague, Tyler Hutchins, Nathan Stanley, Alex Burnett, and Connor Stanley. Honorary pallbearers are her son-in-laws, Michael Back and JR Hutchins.