Donna Williams

March 19th, 1933, in the countryside between Syracuse and Tipton, Missouri, a girl is born to the Yarnell Family and they would call her Donna Dee.  Donna Dee would have no siblings.  

April 29th, 1927, in the small town of Carrollton, Kentucky, at the convergence of Big Kentucky River and the Ohio River, a boy is born to the Williams family and they would call him James.  James would eventually have two sibling brothers.  

Logically and logistically, the probability that these two children would ever (just) meet seemed highly improbable.  They were children of the Great Depression and teens of World War II.  

Donna Dee's family left the country for the big city - Kansas City.  Donna stayed behind in Tipton, Missouri for a while, but eventually joined her parents in Kansas City, Missouri.  The family lived aroung 27th and Brighton.  Donna attended East High School.  

In the meantime, Buck, a close friend of James, strikes out on  adventure and lands in Kansas City.  Buck encourages James to come to Kansas City and eventually James leaves home for Kansas City.  One day, Buck decides to return home to Kentucky, but James chooses to stay.  

Suddenly, the improbable has just become a probability.  The now probable took on possibility because of a dance club located at 41st and Main.  

Donna and her best friend would be take a streetcar to and from the dance hall.  James was living in the area at the time and frequenting the dance club.  

Seemingly, the once improbable that had become probable, then a possibility finally became a reality.  Call it fate, chance, luck or divine providence, but a guy from a small town in Kentucky and a girl from the sticks of Missouri met at a dance club - took a chance with a dance, and parlayed that into a relationship which lasted 50+ years until James' passing in 2004.  

Their union produced 3 children: Waukita, James Jr (Jim), and Mitzi.  Later in life came sons and daughter-in-laws, grandkids, great grandkids, and great-great grandchildren.  Vacation experiences (making a trip) were important when the 3 kids were young.  

James began a career with Kansas City Power and Light - Donna Dee managed the household till her children had grown and finished schooling.  As a household manager, she was top notch, cleanliness-orderliness, cook extraordinaire.  

Her profession was her family.  Later in life, Donna joined the workforce and became the hostess in the lunch room of United Missouri Bank, hobnobbing with some influential banking executives.  

James and Donna joined and became faithful members of Bethany Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri.  They were active members participating in many aspects of church life.  Youth were a special interest and they devoted time and energy into youth activities/projects.  I think it helped to keep them feeling young.  

Donna, with a good friend Marilyn Wallis, organized and ran a children's church ministry for several years.  Being involved was essential for them.  

Later, after James' passing, Donna reconnected with a cousin whose husband pitched horse shoes.  Several years in a row, a group of them would travel to championship tournaments around the country.  

Later, she volunteered her time at a social service agency, helping with food distribution.  

James and Donna enjoyed holidays; they invested themselves purposefully into each holiday in an attempt to make them special.  

Their home was an open home.  Whether it was a group of kids just looking to hang out or someone just dropping by to chat - the invitation was open.  

Music was the medium which stirred her soul.  It was common around our house to hear mom singing or humming a tune while engaged in some household activity.  Generally, it was a hymn.  At church, she sang with gusto, as unto the Lord.  She taught songs to the children in "Children's Church."  

Towards the end, it was the old hymns sung by guys like Alan Jackson that comforted her.  She would (at times) mouth the words, tap a toe, and direct with her hands and fingers.  

"Unspoken Words" Bedside Vigil

The time of my departure draws bear "Inevitably."  

My eyes have dimmed.  

Sit close that I might feel the warmth of your presence.  

Touch me - hold my hand.  

Let our lives intersect just a little while longer.  

Thank you for words - even when I had none to return.  

Thank you for the music, especially the old hymns.  

I do not fear the valley of darkness with you here.  

I'm trusting in the light that shines on the other side.  

Thank you for carrying memories of the life we shared.  

In those memories, I am forever with you.  

Thanks Mom.