Donnie Harlan

Our Mom, Donnie Jo Harlan, was born on April 12, 1929. She was lovingly referred to by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as “Granny.” Donnie was born on a ranch in Segovia, Texas to Gracie Earl and George “Dude” Lennon, and it took the family 6 months before they went to town to register her birth.

When Donnie was very young, the family moved to Harper, Texas. She was one of 5 siblings. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her parents; three siblings, Opal “June” Tijerina, Archie Lennon, and Wayne Lennon; and two grandsons, Harlan and Christopher.

Donnie passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and her younger sister, Carolyn, on Monday, December 19, 2022.

Donnie married her childhood sweetheart, Richard on July 22, 1950. They were married for 65 years. They started their home in New Braunfels, Texas, where Richard was employed as a Texas State Trooper for the Department of Public Safety. While living in New Braunfels, Richard and Donnie had three children: Larry, Robert, and Angie. Richard was promoted to the Narcotics division, and the family moved to McAllen, Texas, where their daughter, Sandee was born. In McAllen, Donnie worked in the McAllen High School administration office.

The family moved from McAllen to Midland where they lived briefly. While in Midland, Donnie was employed as an administrative assistant to an oil executive. In 1972, the family moved to Waco where she worked at First Federal Savings and Loan until she retired. After retirement from her “real job,” she began volunteering at Providence Hospital where she held the record for most logged volunteer hours. Donnie carried on her tradition of helping others while living at Providence Place. Always the “Energizer Bunny,” she was still delivering packages to the other residents just a week before she passed away.

In addition to working or volunteering most of her life, Donnie attended Lakeview Methodist, Elm Mott Methodist, and Hewitt Methodist churches. She was a member of the Merak Temple No. 104 and Daughters of the Nile. She loved to dance with our dad, loved gardening, she was an excellent seamstress, and she loved to bowl. The thing that brought the most joy to Donnie was bragging about her 14 grandchildren and her 13 great-grandchildren (with “one in the oven”).

Donnie’s children, Larry Harlan and wife, Charlotte of Lake Whitney, Robert Harlan and wife, Sharon of Waco, Angie Lindloff, and husband, Monty of Katy, and Sandee Falk and husband, Trey of Corpus Christi; along with their families, would be honored to receive guests at Donnie’s Celebration of Life on Saturday, February 4th, 1:00 p.m. in the Christus Chapel located within Providence Village, 300 W. State Hwy 6, Waco, Texas 76712.

The family appreciates all the love and care given by the staff of Providence Village and Providence Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in memory of Donnie Harlan. A guest book is available at www.oakcrestwaco.com