Sidney Eugene Donnell

Sidney Eugene Donnell Sidney Eugene "Red" Donnell, a former mayor of Manor, died March 16 in Easton, PA. He was 88. Mr. Donnell was born on a farm in Rankin County near Pelahatchie, Mississippi on Nov. 13, 1915 the son of Cora Ida Palmer and Joseph Ellis Donnell. Prior to entering the U.S. Navy in 1938 he attended Hinds Junior College. As a Chief Petty Officer, he served aboard destroyers during World War II, in both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters. Red relished his time in the Navy and often told, and occasionally retold, favored stories about his service on "tin cans." In his soft, southern drawl he described the cramped living conditions on the destroyers as "so small you couldn't cuss a cat." He was a well-known fixture around Manor where he had served on both the city council and later as mayor in the 1980s. At home he was known to enjoy a good game of Scrabble almost up to the end of his life. Following his Navy service he moved to Austin, received a Bachelor of Science degree at The University of Texas and then worked on the staff in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. At the time of his death "Red" was living with his son Sidney, Jr. who is a professor at Lafayette College in Easton, PA. He was preceded in death last September by his wife Evelyn Donnell. Mr. Donnell is survived by a sister, Beulah Donnell of Madison, Ms; son Sidney, Jr.; daughter Louise Donnell of Austin; and two grandchildren Rebecca Fitz of Manor and Mark Fitz of St. Louis. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 20th at Manor City Cemetery. Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar, Austin, TX 78705 - (512) 452-8811. You may view memorials online at wcfish.com