Ann Inez Donley

Ann Inez Donley, age 89 of Millsap, Texas, formerly of Gatesville passed away on Thursday, July 01, 2021 in Weatherford.

Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at Glen Rose Cemetery in Glen Rose, with Rev. John Tunnell officiating.  The family will receive visitors from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Wednesday, July 7th, prior to services at Scott’s Funeral Home in Gatesville.

Ann was born on April 10, 1932 in Dallas, to the late Gordon and Katherine Eddins Heatherley.  She grew up in Grand Prairie and Arlington and attended school in both locations.  She was a Registered Nurse and received her nursing degree from Texas Christian University.  She married Tim Donley on June 6, 1954.  They resided in New Mexico, Austin, Texas and then Cleburne for many years, moving to Gatesville in 1984 and then to San Marcos in 1998.  She and her husband were missionaries with the Navajo Indian Tribe in New Mexico in the early 1960’s.  Tim preceded her in death on October 15, 2001. After his death she resided in Millsap, Texas.  She was a former member of Trinity Baptist Church in Gatesville and a current member of Fairview Baptist Church in Mineral Wells.

Ann’s life journey was filled with many adventures, experiences and roles.  She was a wife, a mother, a missionary, a nurse, a published author, a journalist, an artist, and a community volunteer.  She was a rip-roaring member of the Wild West Red Hat Ladies of Weatherford. She took off to East Texas, alone in her seventies to help set up a first aid center after Hurricane Ike, avoiding downed pine trees blocking the roads to get there.  As a journalist for a newspaper in Eagle Pass, she found herself in interesting situations as she researched her articles. These included riding in a helicopter to herd cattle, interviewing Indians camping along the Rio Grande and investigating corruption along the border. She was always proud of her Cherokee and Chickasaw heritage and loved to attend and dance at pow wows throughout Texas and Oklahoma.  She published a book called “Healing Plants” and many articles and stories throughout the years.  She, along with Tim, always “walked the walk” in regard to their faith in Jesus Christ.  During the civil rights years of the 60’s they were very active in teaching their children about the evil of racism using current events happening around them.  They taught about the importance of loving and caring for those in need.  The children were given great examples of a healthy and loving marriage which always put God first in the family they created.    

Ann is survived by daughters, Melissa A. Donley and husband, David Schweitzer, Julie Blanchard and husband, Jason; sons, Jonathan Donley and wife, Connie Schwartz Donley, Shane Donley and wife, Jeanette; sister, Sue Bohannon; sixteen grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, and one great great-grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, the family has designated memorials be directed to Texas ALS Association.