Olivia K. Donelson

May 8, 1944 - October 20, 2022

Olivia Kay Sanders Donelson passed away on October 20, 2022 in Austin, Texas at Westminister Manor, lovingly surrounded by family and friends. Olivia was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2017 and she maintained her positive attitude and sense of humor up to the very end.

Olivia was born May 8, 1944 in Seymour, Texas to Kay Eggleston Stanley and Earl L. Stanley. As this was a war time marriage and due to lengthy separations it was not to last. Kay was remarried to David T. Sanders who adopted Olivia at the age of four. An experience Olivia fondly shared was that at her adoption proceedings, she was seen crying as she thought her name was being changed from “Olivia” to “David”. She said, “I don’t want to be named David”.

During Olivia’s high school years, she won multiple awards for her service and beauty contest. In 1961 she was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the United States Navy Recruiting Office for Outstanding Service. She was Miss Merry Christmas in 1961 at Slaton High School as well as the District Sweetheart for the Future Farmers of America.

Olivia attended Texas Tech University where she met her future husband, Norman Bernard Donelson. They married on August 29, 1964 and moved to Austin in 1970 where they joined Tarrytown UMC and raised their family.

Olivia found her life’s calling when she was hired as Director of Senior Adult Ministries at Tarrytown United Methodist Church. She truly had a gift for working with senior adults. In her role at the church, she served as a link between the church and those who were homebound as well as provided social activities for those who could participate. She delighted those she worked with during the Thursday social gatherings with games, lunch and entertainment. She even chartered a bus several times a year for them to go on adventures together. She always shared her artistic talents and creative fun loving nature with everyone she came in contact with and was dearly loved by everyone she served. Throughout her 28 year career at Tarrytown UMC, Olivia also would arrange appointments and go with the senior pastor to take the sacrament of Holy Communion to those who were home bound and visit with them.

Olivia had many passions. She loved clogging and taught tap and toe dancing at Shirley McPhail School of Dance for many years. Another passion of Olivia’s was providing support to the Austin Living Center where her son Devin resides. She was involved in lobbying the legislature to improve the lives of the mentally and developmentally disabled and was an influential member of the Austin State School Parent Association. Olivia worked tirelessly supporting the individuals and staff at the living center and is dearly loved by all who have had the pleasure of knowing her over the years.

Olivia is survived by her husband, Norman Bernard Donelson, of Austin, Texas, their sons Devin DeShea Donelson of Austin, Texas and Shannon Lane Donelson, his wife Alexandra Woodul Donelson, grandson Tyson (Ty) Lane Donelson and granddaughter Tess Alexandra Donelson, all of Austin. Olivia was lovingly known to Ty and Tess by her “Grandmother” name “Ibby”. She is also survived by her step-brother Allan Keene Sanders of Manchaca, Texas. Olivia was preceded in death by her mother Kay Eggleston Stanley Sanders, her father Earl L. Stanley and step-father David T. Sanders.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials can be made to AuSSLC Family Guardian Association (ausslcfamilyquardian.org), Tarrytown UMC, all of Austin or the charity of your choice.

Olivia will lie in state at Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home located on Parkcrest Drive in Austin. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday October 26, 2022 at Tarrytown United Methodist Church with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.