Donna Lavonne Edwards

Reflections of the Life of Donna Lavonne Edwards Donna Lavonne Edwards was born to Earnest and Juanita Winrow Davis iu Oklahoma City on Januruy 21, 1952. She was the fourth of seven children. Donna grew up in Oklahoma City and graduated from Frederick A. Douglass High School in 1970. There she excelled in music. She was an organ and piano accompanist for several of the school's choirs and choruses. Donna and her choirs, under the direction of Leroy Hicks made several music albums. Donna, also, excelled in typing, shorthand and other secretarial skills that would serve her well as an adult. A few years after finishing high school, the young Donna Davis moved to New Jersey after accepting a job with Opportunity Industrialization Corporation. There she met and married Larry Edwards. The ambitious couple sought and found excitement in their respective careers, marriage, family life and a lifestyle they both enjoyed. Traveling was one of their main interests. Over the years they visited family in many states across the country, enjoying the company of family and friends. Their careers offered moves in Oklahoma City and Richmond. Nine months before the Oklahoma City Bombing of the Murrah Building, they left Oklahoma City heading to Richmond. In Oklahoma City Donna worked as an Executive Secretruy at C. R. Anthony Company located just across the street from the Murrah Building where Larry worked. When they learned of the bombing, they knew they were blessed and that God was taking care of them. Settling into a position at United Way, Donna's loving personality, excellent secretarial skills, effective communication and organizational skills moved her up the corporate ladder into the position of Executive Assistant to the CEO of United Way, a position she held until her death on September 24, 2016. A fun loving lady who had a flair for fashion and was always well dressed exuded charm, love and kindness everywhere she went. She was such a lady that husband, Larry, would ALWAYS run to open doors for her, indoors, outdoors, car doors and any other door that she entered. Larry soon forgot her name, (her family thought) because he always called her Honey. She did more than visit her family and friends, Donna participated in their activities. She was regional former president of Executive Women Incorporate (EWI). She was an Oklahoma Achievers Board Member, a volunteer of the Tenth Street Adult Living Center in Oklahoma City, a volunteer for the Oklahoma City Blood Drive and so many other non-profits in cities where she lived. She and Larry were always interested in improving their communities. She was preceded in death by her father, Earnest (Oklahoma City). Donna is survived by her mother, Juanita Winrow Davis, devoted and loving husband, Larry; daughters Regina Smith (William), Lisa Edwards Hairston and; son, Lawrence Edwards. She is survived by her grandchildren Jerome Edwards, King Cyrus Edwards, Aliyah Edwards, Elijah Smith, Janna Smith, and a host of other grand and great grandchildren that all cherish her memory. She is survived by six siblings, Anita Arnold, Terry Davis (Tomia), Carolyn Blevins (Luther), Jacquelyn Parks (Larry), Betty Slaughter (Maurie), Ellisa (Kirn) Johnson and a host of nieces nenhews cousins aunts and uncles.

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Donna Lavonne Edwards

January 21, 1952 - September 24, 2016