On October 1st, 1934, Donna Marie Riddlebarger was born to Clarence and Biance Riddlebarger, in the small town of Lucasville, Ohio. Donna, along with her five siblings, Howard, Rozella, Ruthie, Thelma, and Jeanie, spent many of their days tending to the needs of their farm.
At an early age, she made a personal decision to follow Jesus. She kept Him in her heart and soul for her entire life.
After graduating from Lucasville High School, she began working in a small mom and pop diner. One night, a young army veteran named Dave, came in to eat. After a number of visits to the diner, they soon began dating. Six months later, they were married. They stayed together for 70 years.
At the age of twenty, she gave birth to her son, Greg. He was the light of her life. Their little family picked up and moved to Pasadena, Texas and began a new life there.
They quickly made friends and joined Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, where she was active in the Ladies Auxiliary, sang alto in the church choir, and found people along the way who needed help and encouragement.
Thirteen years after her son Greg was born, Angela made her surprise appearance. When Donna learned in the delivery room she had a girl, the first thing she said was “What am I going to do with her hair?” She quickly learned how to be a girl mom.
She spent her life as a full-time wife and mom and was a staple in her church, participating in all the activities there. She loved watching her grandchildren, Jeff, Jenny, Kendall, Shawn, and Emma grow up. She also enjoyed her great-grandchildren, Justin, Nathan, Hayden, Logan, Madi, and Presli.
As she began to age, her health declined. In her final years, leaving the house became a more difficult task. Despite all of the physical struggles, she found peace by reading her Bible and listening to her favorite preachers and gospel music every day.
On January 4th, 2023, she left her temporary home. She was able to reunite with many family members in Heaven. It is our belief that one of the first things she saw was the face of Jesus. We can now celebrate that she is where she looked forward to being one day. She is now home.
A visitation for Donna will be held Monday, January 16, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Forest Park East Funeral Home, 21620 Gulf Freeway, Webster, Texas 77598, followed by a celebration of life at 2:00 PM.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestParkEast-FHC.com for the Dalton family.
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