He was born on January 31, 1931 in Norphlet, Arkansas to Vance Truman and Mabel Ozella Sempe Delk. He graduated from Norphlet High School in 1949. He enlisted in the Army several years later and served in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953, where he was honorably discharged. After returning from the war, he met the love of his life, Bettye Little, and they married on September 18, 1954.
Donald began work with Gulf Oil Corporation in Marked Tree, Arkansas for several years and then relocated to El Dorado, where he became the Gulf Oil Distributor until his retirement in 1981. After leaving Gulf Oil, Donald became the manager of Worsham Wholesale for a number of years before he permanently retired. Donald and Bettye lived nearly all of their married life together in El Dorado where they raised their three children and were active members of the Gethsemane Baptist Church. Donald was ordained as a deacon on August 6, 1961 in Marked Tree, Arkansas and served as a deacon at Second Baptist Church and Gethsemane Baptist Church in El Dorado until a few years ago, due to health reasons.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Jack Delk (Betty Jo) and Kenneth Delk, son-in-law Bryan Womack, niece Delaine Kelley, and his wife of 63 years, Bettye Faye Little Delk.
He is survived by his daughter Melissa Cain (Walt) of Addis, LA, son Jeffrey Delk of Nashville, TN, daughter Lori Zepeda (Manuel) of Knoxville, TN, brother Billy Delk (Rowanne) of Longview, TX, and sister Jo Kelley of Pine Bluff, AR. He has five grandchildren; Jonathan Womack of Amberg, Germany, Jennifer Womack of Baton Rouge, LA, Jackson Slaid of Baton Rouge, LA, Ashley Zepeda of Knoxville, TN, and Amanda Zepeda of Cincinnati, OH. Nieces and nephews are Steven Delk, Becky Spedden, Diane Johns, Amy Burnett, Ray Delk, Randall Kelley, and sister-in-law Carolyn Delk Ross.
A memorial service will be held at Gethsemane Baptist Church on Saturday, January 6, at 1:00 pm followed with burial at Rest Haven Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jonathan Womack, Jackson Slaid, Manuel Zepeda, Bill Hanna, Jimmy Ricks, Hubert Owens, with Ralph Patterson and Otis McCroskey serving as honorary pallbearers.
An online registry will be available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com
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