DONNA MARIE STEWART-GRAY
Donna Marie (Freemyer) Stewart-Gray was born March 29, 1928 to Bill and Opal Freemyer in Grant City, Missouri. She passed away on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 after suffering a long battle with Alzhiemer’s Disease at the age of 90, surrounded by her family.
Donna attended school in Sheridan, Missouri. Donna was united in marriage to Arlo Stewart on April 29, 1944 in Bedford, Iowa. A marriage that lasted 53 years before Arlo’s passing in 1997. Four children were born to this union, Dan, Dave, Linda and Amy. After Arlo’s passing she married Paul Gene Gray of Blockton, until his passing in 2007.
Donna was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother. Her love for life included family, farming, cooking and helping others. Donna was well known for her cinnamon rolls. Donna and Arlo enjoyed camping with anyone that would go. Country music was a love of hers and attending the Redding Midwest Country Music Theatre on Sunday nights.
Donna worked for the Taylor County Extension Office in Bedford and in the earlier years she cleaned homes. A helping hand always extended out to anyone in need.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Opal Freemyer; husband, Arlo; second husband, Paul; son, Danny; grandson, Gerad Naill; sister and brother-in-law, Eileen and Earl Matheny; sisters-in-law, Harriet Freemyer and Joan Freemyer; her in-laws, Alfred and Amy Stewart, Donald and Donna Mae Stewart, Dwight “Doc” Stewart, David “Boug” Stewart, Wylene Stewart, Christina “Tinie” Wall and Laverne Wall.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter-in-law, Lila Stewart (John) of Mount Ayr; son, Dave (Carol) Stewart of Waco, Texas; daughter, Linda (Jack) DeFreece of Clearfield; daughter, Amy (Doug) Williams of Atlantic; two brothers, Wes (Lynn) Freemyer and Harold Freemyer (friend Enid); fourteen grandchildren, Rick, Kevin and James Stewart, Jerad Stewart, Shelly Buckingham, Dean Burgher, Tish McDonald, Tara Beadel, Angi Blazek, Jason Naill, Sheena Turner, Devin and Derek Williams and Brenice Bailey; forty three great-grandchildren; twelve great-great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Larry Stewart of Washington state and Dick (Debbie) Stewart of Creston, IA; host of nieces, nephews, cousins and family. She will be missed by all.
Services were at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 13, 2018 at the Clearfield Christian Church in Clearfield, Iowa.
Officiating was Rev. Al Rusk.
Special songs were: “Jealous Of The Angels”, “Dancing In The Sky”, “If We Never Meet Again” and “Goodbye Is The Saddest Word”.
Active casket bearers were: Rick Stewart, Kevin Stewart, James Stewart, Jared Stewart, Lyle Dean Burgher, Jason Naill, Devin Williams, and Derek Williams.
Honorary casket bearers were: Shelly Buckingham, Brenice Bailey, Tish McDonald, Tara Beadel, Angi Blazek and Sheena Turner.
Donna was laid to rest at Rose Hill Cemetrry at Blockton, Iowa.
Memorials in her name to be decided later.
