Donna Lynn Spencer was born in Gilmer, Texas, to Babe and Ruby Owen on Pearl Harbor Day – the Pearl Harbor Day – December 7, 1941. She grew up in Gilmer graduating from Gilmer High School in 1960, where she excelled academically and was a majorette. She was a proud Gilmer Buckeye! She moved to Germany for four years and returned to her beloved Dallas in 1964, where she resided for the rest of her life. In January 1965, she began working for a law firm in downtown Dallas. She had a work ethic that was unmatched and was so good at her job that one of the lawyers, James J. Hartnett, monopolized her time and she became his sole legal secretary launching her career as a paralegal. Donna and Mr. Hartnett worked together in the area of estate and trust litigation from then on, until her death. A model of consistency, their careers together spanned 54 years and they were an incredible team of integrity and dedication that got outstanding results for thousands of clients. Many lawyers were quoted as saying, “Call Donna, she knows as much about the law as any lawyer”. The entire Hartnett family became a huge part of Donna’s life and she loved all of them very much.
She loved the Lord more than anything else and took her Christianity and God’s teachings to heart. She emulated Jesus every day and set an example for all of us. She was humble and lived a life of service to others and followed the “golden rule”.
A close second to God was her family, which she absolutely adored. After her divorce in 1971, she dedicated her life to her children and never remarried. She lived every day for her children and grandchildren, who affectionately called her Nonnie. She sacrificed herself and worked hard her whole life to put them through private schools, college and law school to make their life better and easier than hers.
She was a pillar of strength for her family. Throughout her battle with cancer, she never once complained, she never got angry and totally understood her death, now, was God’s plan and that he wanted her in heaven. She was a very elegant lady, who never knew an enemy. She made everyone feel welcome and included, and conveyed to everyone they were her friend.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Crawford Drannon “Babe” Owen and Ruby Owen. She is survived by her only sibling and sister, Sue Pittman, of Gilmer, Texas; her son, Kevin Spencer, and his wife, Kathleen Spencer, and her daughter, Tracy Johnson and her husband, Robert Johnson, III; five grandchildren, Blake Spencer, Dawson Spencer, Ellery Spencer, Ainsley Johnson and Audrey Johnson; two nephews, Russell Reaves of Tatum, Texas, and Allen Reaves of Harmony, Texas, and numerous other cousins and relatives.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Austin College – The Spencer Family Endowed Scholarship, Cistercian Preparatory School, Abilene Christian University or Walnut Hill Church of Christ.
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