Nyla was my Gma.  There are so many wonderful memories.  Two of my favorite are from when I was a very young child and she lived in Augusta .  She would sing "Grandma's got a mouse in her car" with me and she taught me how to whistle.  Sitting in that driveway, she stayed by my side until I got it.  That's how she was in life as well.  She was always there to help me navigate the world and I am forever grateful for the mark she left on me.  I am who I am today partly because she guided me and I am so proud of that.  Her most important lesson came towards the end of life. She left me with one request, just to love, be love, and be loved in return.
XO Lara 

I will always carry such strong memories of the little metal box house that Gma and Gpa lived in in Tampa. Going to see them every year was such a highlight of my childhood. Sitting around the table playing scrabble, sitting on the porch with Gpa, watching Gma do puzzles on the couch in her nightgowns. I’m so happy I have these memories to hold on to & I’m so thankful you’re not in pain anymore, Gma. Sending you so so much love. 

I think more than anything, mom loved to read and learn about new things. From mathematics to science and all things in between. She read about Exploration ,the World, Africa, books about the Bible, the Bible, schools of thought, Trees, History, stories about strong women, and much more. This was our commonality. Mom and I could talk for hours about politics, past and current events, even about all my nursing classes. She just loved learning. I think perhaps that was one of her greatest gifts --- an inquisitiveness for life and people. She loved Psychology and the things that make people tic. She knew Jesus made me tic and had a way of always leading me back to my faith whenever I was troubled by something. That's what a good mom does---because each child is different. She had this ability to see the best in everyone. A moment that sticks out in my mind about my mom happened when she was living with me in Augusta. I had come home from work late and mom asked me how my night went. I told her good and that I had made the exact amount of money I needed for my bills ; that happened a lot. Then I just started crying and told her I didn't know how much longer I could go on ---working night and day and then getting up early every morning to drive Lara to school and back---for 12 years--her school had no bus. So, I went to bed and for the next week, my mom got up and drove Lara to school so I could get a few extra hours of sleep. I'll never forget that.  Shortly thereafter she moved to Statesboro for her new job with Willingway as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor. We helped each other a lot during our alone time .She was my best friend. I miss her like crazy, but know she's in a better place. God rest her soul!

She was an amazingly unique individual that showed me nothing but love.  I will always miss the times we didn’t have together and cherish the ones that we did.

Aunt Nyla!
What a mix of emotions-sadness and joy. Sadness that your strength, wit, and love will live through memory here and joy because you are seeing Jesus face to face!
Whenever we made our long car rides from California to South Dakota to spend time in Flandreau, it was Nyla that was the great mystery to me. I never knew if I would get to see her-but when I did, she left an impact. She was so tough to hold her own against all those brothers, and yet she was so tender to have humble curiosity in others. She wanted to know how I was personally and what I was up to in school, sports, and friends. She cared. I thank God for her and seeing God through her and am so thankful she captured some of her story for us to enjoy. She is more alive than ever and gets to play as much tennis as she wants! Love you Nyla and all our love to the family. 
Nate

I was an awkward 14 year old at the theatre at Fort Gordon when I first met Nyla.  I was escaping the pressures of not fitting in, of being more artistic than athletic and  being in full blown depression.  Once, before rehearsal, during stage warmups there was an exercise where you had to scream at the top of your lungs.  Most people were “singing “ it.  Not Nyla, her scream was terrifying!  It was 100% guttural, primal, loud, full body, clinched fists…are you getting the picture?  Nyla committed.  I noticed that right then!  When she was (finally) finished  she straightened up and with wide eyes and a finger poke to my shoulder said, “You really need to do that, it’s very freeing”.
That was Nyla to me, she pursued freedom and love and passion.  She was wonderful!
My heartfelt condolences to Mary, Annie, Laura, Sam and all the other amazing people she helped create.  Love y’all.

   One of my fondest memories is recent memory, I was able to be here with her while Mary was sick with covid and Mom went to sleep about 930 or so and as usual I was awake way later than that, "I had been sleeping in a chair in her room that week" I guess it was about 130 am when I went to crawl into the chair and opened up her curtain and there she was, all smiles, looking at me and said "I guess I woke up" the look on her face and her giggle was just hilarious. we talked, really about nothing for about another hour or so and I looked at her and said ok, it's time to go to bed now, she said ok and rolled over and went to sleep. It was such a special moment for me to have with her.

I went over one day just for a visit. I was expecting Nyla to be sleeping but I found her awake. She sat down across from me at a table and we talked for about 2 hours. She told me all about when she met her husband when her kids were born and all kinds of stories in between. It was just like 2 old friends chatting about their lives. I didnt have near as many stories to tell as her but we made it fun and added on to my life story as we went along. I shared with her some of the trials of having a child with disabilities. She gave me great advice going forward and told me I was doing a fine job. She told me about being in Theater and how much hard work it was but also so much fun. I enjoyed every minute of it . I will cherish those memories always and consider Nyla a dear friend.  
Mary and I have been friends now for about 8 years and I met Nyla soon after meeting Mary. We became fast friends and I consider them like family members. 
Have Peace in your heart that Nyla went to a good place. She was a great storyteller and friend and will be missed dearly. Fly High G-ma. Dont worry. I will keep our secret about feeding doughnuts to the dog. We giggled like young girls. Hehe. Bless this family and my dear friend(s) Mary. ( and Chip too).
Your friend
Sharon Mullen

The memory I cherish the most was your ability to treat me like family from day one. You wrapped your arms around me with your love like I had been there forever and it meant the world to me. You had an endless supply of compassion, devotion, and selflessness, and, if we’re lucky, we will share it with others throughout our lives. Our hearts will continue to experience all the sweet memories of you. Love and miss you, Nyla, Mom, Gma. 

When we lived in Augusta during my middle school years, Mom used to paint in our little basement on Heard Ave.  I liked to watch her.  She let me paint something once.  I was thrilled and tried to create this vision in my mind's eye.  It was more of a nightmare than a vision.  I guess most artists would not have thought much of it, but my mom was different.  She saw beauty in it.  She said she loved it and had it in her house for as long as I can remember.  I discovered that I was more of a writer than a painter.  But she wrote a bit also.  She had SO many gifts and abilities that were sometimes smothered by other things in her life.  But, when she painted or wrote or acted, she was a bright star.

I first met Nyla Mae in June of 1999.I flew over to Tampa to meet Annie's parents and family while on my vacation. To say I was a little nervous about that  would be an understatement. The first moment I met her, I sensed her kind and compassionate spirit. Over the next 20 years we had some heartfelt moments that I will always cherish.. such a kind soul and I will miss her dearly.. We love you and will see you soon !

My mother had a "peace-keeper" heart.  I pretty much am the same.  We did not like conflict and when it hit us, we felt confused and betrayed by it.  I think we both wanted to help people feel better about him or herself.  To boost someone's confidence and bring a smile to people's faces was one thing she strived to do.  I LOVE LOVE my mom.  Her tough exterior and soft heart were awesome.  She was quick to give advice more that I wanted to hear, but she was often correct.  Mom, thank you, for teaching me that honesty is the best policy, that we should speak the truth in love, and that laughter is always the best medicine. 
Laura Lee, daughter #3

Memories

One of my favorite memories of my mother was when she told us stories at bedtime.  She usually made up stories.  I don't remember what they were about, princesses, probably.  It was the voices she used.  The made up accents, the drama, the wide eyes, sound effects.  Her long arms and long fingers making shadows on the walls.  She was at her best when she could act.  I realized that is what she was doing.  She passed on the reading books and using different voices and accents.  One of the little things she passed to me that I love her for. - Mary

At about 7 or 8 years old my mother took me into her secret world of being an artist.  She painted in oils and there were several of her paintings hanging on the walls of our homes.  We were living in Augusta '65-'67 on Tanglewood Drive.  She drew a candle and some fruit on a canvas and showed me how to paint.  I was amazed that she invited me to participate in that part of her world. - Mary

Mom loved to collect small things.  Tiny things and notebooks and journals.  She usually wrote a page or two and never used that journal again.  Little books, little pens, little paintings.  She had tons of little notebooks that she got free in the mail from different agencies like Sierra Club, The Indian  Children's School, RNC, and many more.  She collected postcards and postcard books.  Art books, biographies, books on the Bible.  She loved to be surrounded by the things she loved.  She had her bedside table with her pink comb, and mirror in the drawer so she could comb her hair first thing in the morning.  Her hair was so beautiful.  Perfectly white with lots of big waves and little curls.  She wasn't vain, at all, but she did like things a certain way.  She didn't care about clothes and she wore whatever anyone gave her.  She wasn't picky as long as she was told she looked good, and that made her happy. -Mary

She could be such a card, she loved to laugh

I am so sorry I didn't get to see her again before she passed, because she was a real lady and helped me to appreciate the sweetness of life. For sure, the good Lord put her in my path, or Vice versa, because by knowing her I got to know a great woman of God -- someone who bestowed me the gift of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord -- her beautiful daughter, Annie. Thank you for my first Bible!

I bless this family and appreciate the simple friendship that made my travel toward our Creator's good salvation very easy. Thank you thank you...and may the good Lord keep you all safe and in his great mercy.

Orlando "OJ" Dona

Wounded Warrior Project Donor Care Centr

Family will receive friends at the home of Mary Powell

Graveside Interment service at a later date

Neal Thoreson

Myrtie Amelia Paulson Thoreson

Orlow Buell Donaldson

David Anothony Finch

Marlyn Thoreson

Dwayne Thoreson

Dell Thoreson

Laurel Thoreson

Reverend Roger Thoreson

Reverend Ronald Thoreson

Marilyn Thoreson

OBITUARY

Mrs Nyla "Gma" Mae Thoreson Donaldson

April 21, 1936 – August 19, 2021

Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Home

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