Donna Rhea Shields

Donna Rhea Shields died at 1:20 a.m. Friday, June 18, 2010 at a local hospital. Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. Saturday, June 19, 2010 at Hixson Funeral Home and 1-2 p.m. Sunday at the church. Service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa. Rev. David Dewitt will officiate. Burial will be in Pinehill Cemetery in Iowa.

She will be remembered fondly as a teacher of both JI Watson Middle School and Iowa High School. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Iowa where she served on numerous boards and as the organist for 27 years.

She leaves behind her husband of 42 years, Tommy Shields; 3 sons, Tom and wife, Alisha, Rhea and his wife, Katy, and Jess; 3 grandchildren, Hillary, Grheason and Syrus; one brother, Tommy Rhea and his wife, Lorren. She is preceded in death by her son, Bart and his wife, Shanna; and her parents, Larue and Syble Rhea.

She will be most remembered for her giving, generosity, kindness and community involvement.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Memorial Hospital for their professionalism, compassion, and friendship. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society and the First United Methodist Church scholarship fund (P.O. Box 668, Iowa, LA 70647) Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfunearlhomes.com