Donna Faye (Oberpriller) Stevens

who peacefully left her physical body on September 12, 2023. Donna was born in the great state of Texas on September 7, 1942, and boy, did she make her presence known.

She's now reunited with her parents, Delbert and LaFaye Oberpriller, her brother Doug and sister-in-law Nancy, all from Houston, and her brother-in-law James Montgomery from The Woodlands, Texas. They're probably all having a family BBQ up there.

But let's not forget the love of her life, William "Bill" Stevens, Jr., who managed to keep up with her for an impressive 59 years! She also left behind her youngest brother, Dick Oberpriller, and his wife, Patty, and two sons, Spencer Stevens and his wife, Kathryn, and Scott Stevens and his wife, Denise. And let's not forget her pride and joy, the grandkids – Charlie, Jane, Lauren, Ally, and Colton. They must have inherited some of her legendary charm and wit.

Donna's journey through life began at Reagan High School in Houston, where she strutted her stuff as a proud member of the Reagan Red Coats. She then embarked on a wild academic adventure at the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned an education degree in 1964. Several decades later she earned a master's degree in education from the University of North Texas.

Now, here's where it gets interesting. She met her soulmate, Bill Stevens, at Gregory Gymnasium during registration at UT. It must've been love at first sight, or maybe she was just really good at filling out forms. While at UT, she was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, the now-named Spirits organization, Student Education Council, and even received a Bluebonnet Belle nomination.

Education was part of her DNA, and she loved teaching fifth graders. Those kids probably thought she was the coolest teacher ever. Donna had a special bond with her students because they kept her up to date on all things technology, music, fashion, famous folks, sports, movies, games, and family gossip. Watching them grow into responsible adults brought her immense joy.

Donna was not just an academic superstar; she was also the life of the party. Everyone knew she was fun and she had fun! Nobody stayed a stranger for long after meeting her. Donna had this magical way of turning everyone she met into instant friends. If you ever met her, consider yourself blessed!

She was the queen of planning, organizing, leading, and all-around family matriarch. Her social calendar was probably busier than a bee's flight path, always buzzing with plans for the next family or friends' gathering. Bridge and mahjong were her games of choice, and she had a special group of friends who played with her over the years.

Donna loved living in so many diverse places: the Gulf Coast (Houston), Pacific Coast (Concord/Walnut Creek, CA), Atlantic Coast (Connecticut), Texas inland (Dallas), and finally at the lake in Horseshoe Bay. She collected friends like they were trading cards from all these places and cherished each and every one of them.

Before retiring, she and Billy bought a house on Lake LBJ in 1994 and lived there full-time for 22 years, becoming deeply ingrained in the Blue Lake community with the municipal water district, the bridge club, the golf club board, and serving as county convention delegates. There were countless family gatherings at their lake house, creating memories that could fill a novel. She was also a proud member of the Texas Exes, and in 2022, they made the big move to the Longhorn Village retirement community. More friends, more bridge, more mahjong – Donna had her priorities straight!

Did we mention Donna recently joined the Daughters of the American Revolution? Ancestry research must've been her latest obsession!

Donna was beautiful inside and out, with the superpower of turning strangers into friends. She cared deeply for everyone in her life and was kind and compassionate to all. Her impact was enormous, and she'll be remembered forever as a one-of-a-kind wife, mom, and friend.

So, mark your calendars. Come visit with the family on Friday, September 29, 2023, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, 1805 U.S. 281, Marble Falls, TX 78654. And then, on Saturday, September 30, 2023, we’re hosting a Celebration of Donna's Life beginning at 2 p.m. at the Longhorn Village, 12501 Longhorn Parkway, Austin, TX 78732.

In lieu of flowers, Donna would probably suggest you donate to the Walnut Methodist Church, PO Box 123, Round Mountain, TX 78663, the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio St., Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60611, or a charity of your choice. Let's give Donna the send-off she deserves – with a smile and a laugh, just the way she lived her life!