Donna Jean Shirel

Donna Jean Talley Shirel was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1940 in Yuba City, California. She departed this life on August 16, 2022 at the age of 81, after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by her loving family at her home in Deer Park, Texas.

After graduating from Yuba City High School, Donna completed her four year Theology Degree from Western Apostolic Bible College in Stockton, California. While in college, she served as Student Body Secretary for 3 terms and Senior Class Secretary. She participated in Missionary Club, Yearbook Staff, and was the Girl’s Dorm Rep. She sang in Choir for 3 years, Chorus for 1 year and sang in a trio for 3 years. She met her husband, Jerry when he came to visit his brother in Stockton. Donna graduated from Bible College on Sunday morning, June 4 and married the love of her life, Jerry on Wednesday, June 7, 1961. They traveled 1800 miles to their new home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was actively involved in Sunday School Outreach, mainly bus ministry at the Tulsa church. In 1963, she welcomed her first daughter, Sheila, and became a proud mother and homemaker. After a move to Garland, Texas, in 1966, she welcomed her second daughter, Stephanie into this world. She became actively involved as a Sunday school teacher, and she accompanied Gayla Foster on the piano for church services.

Donna is survived by her husband of 61 years, Jerry. Her daughters, Sheila Goodwin, and Stephanie Byrd (husband Jeff), her grandchildren, Kelsi Goodwin, Jared Byrd (wife Andrea), Kodi Jenkins (husband Joshua), and Jordan Byrd, and great-grandchildren, Keira and Justin Jenkins. Donna loved being Meme to her grandchildren, and especially enjoyed her great-granddaughter, Keira, and later on great-grandson, Justin. She was very proud of her children and grandchildren and their accomplishments.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Leona Talley, and her brother, Bob Talley. She leaves behind a host of family and friends.

Any memorial contributions may be made in her name to Tupelo Children’s Mansion, PO Box 167, Tupelo, MS 38802 or online at mansionkids.org.

Visitation for Donna will be held Tuesday, August 23, 2022 from 5:00PM to 8:00PM at Grand View Funeral Home, 8501 Spencer Highway, Pasadena, Texas 77505. A Celebration of Donna's life will be held Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at 10:00AM at Grand View Funeral Home. A private burial will be held following the service.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grandviewfunerals.com for the Shirel family.