Donnell Oakley Sr.

December 1, 2017 surrounded by his wife and children. He was the fifth child from the union of the late

Shirley K. Wellmaker (Lewis) and Johnny Q. Oakley Sr.

In 1982, Donnell graduated from East Saint Louis Sr High School, in E. St Louis, Illinois. After graduation,

he immediately enlisted in the United States Army and married his High School Sweetheart, Cassandra,

on December 23, 1983. Donnell accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in 1984. From that moment

forward, he began to seek the will of God for him and his family. Over the years, he filled various ministry

and leadership positions but his heart was to please God in every aspect of his life. Donnell deployed to

Kuwait in support of the Gulf War from 1990 - 1991. Among many awards and decorations, he earned

the Meritorious Service Medal which is presented to service members who distinguished themselves by

outstanding achievement and service to their country. In 2002, he retired from the Army in the rank of

Sergeant First Class. Throughout his military career, Donnell and Cassandra traveled around the world.

With the love of his life at his side, raising their five children and building extended family, Donnell

made friends everywhere he lived. Following his military career, he spent years serving the community

in Phoenix, AZ and ministering to anyone in need. In 2006, he also accepted a position with Balfour

Beatty where he continued to serve military families and Luke Air Force Base as the Housing Community

Manager.

In a life dedicated to serving others, he enjoyed spending quality time with his family and close friends,

filling their hearts with laughter and fond memories. Donnell was a devoted husband and loving father;

a faithful and genuine friend to all those he encountered. He is preceded in death by his father Johnny

Q. Oakley Sr.; mother, Shirley K. Wellmaker; and step-father, Boyd Wellmaker.

To cherish his memory, he leaves his beloved wife, Cassandra; his sons: Donnell Jr., and Jeremiah; his

daughters: Cheryce, Trenisha, and Ashley; his grand-daughter: Rachel; his brothers: Johnny (Felicia) and

Courtney (Fonda); his sisters: Bobbie, Saundra, Sakina, and Paula along with a host of relatives and

friends.