Obituary for Dona Lynn Brooks (Howard)
Ringling - Dona Lynn Howard Brooks, Ardmore, took her last breath on earth and her first breath in Heaven on January 12, 2022, at her home in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Her service will be held in the Ringling United Methodist Church on Friday, January 14th at 3:00pm. Brother David Daniel will officiate as family and friends celebrate a life well lived. Interment will follow to Ringling Memorial Cemetery. Services are under the care and direction of Alexander Gray Funeral Home in Ringing.
Dona was born on October 10, 1950, in Waurika to Vella Key (Mathers) Howard and Donald Brown Howard. She was raised on her family’s ranch in the Claypool community in a house full of love and laughter. She attended grade school at Claypool until 3rd grade. When it closed, she transferred to Ringling. She loved her school days at Ringling; she was a cheerleader, homecoming royalty, a member of “The Blue Notes”, Rattlesnake Queen and active in FHA, 4-H and showed pigs at the Jefferson County Fair. She loved her classmates and graduated from RHS in 1968.
Upon high school graduation, she attended college at East Central University. She obtained a degree in Special Education with a minor in Speech in 1972 and later returned to get her Masters. While at ECU, she was named Miss Ada in 1969. Soon after that, she caught the eye of Student Senate President, Mike Brooks. They married in 1970 and returned to the ranch in 1972 to begin their life together. What an adventure they had!
Children were her passion. She taught Special Education and language arts subjects at Ringling Schools for 28 years and was Teacher of the Year in 1999. Her creative spirit was contagious. She produced numerous school plays, pep rally skits, and 4-H Share the Fun acts. Exhibiting God’s love through her actions was her life’s purpose. She served the church and the community by directing Vacation Bible School, assisting in the After School Kid’s Club program and was the RUMC Sunday School Superintendent for over 40 years. Her vision and unending energy lead to multiple projects including conception and completion of the Great Room addition to the church, expanding the church playground, The Christmas Card Luncheon and Backpack program. One of her most enjoyable memories was a mission trip to Alaska with her niece, Jessie Hughes, in 2005 to teach VBS. She created and served as the adult supervisor to the Claypool City Council which consisted of kids ages 5-10 years old and was featured in People magazine. For the community of Ringling, she directed many Main Street Melodramas and was instrumental in the Centennial Celebration and mural projects our town still enjoys. She was honored by the Ringling Chamber of Commerce in 2003 and 2015 for her work.
After her retirement, she and Mike traveled the world with good friends and family. They moved from the ranch into the Ardmore community in 2014. She loved to stay busy She was an accomplished singer, had beautiful flower gardens, danced with the Two Left Feet Club, cheered on the Blue Devils (and recently the Plainview Indians) in every sport and study God’s word at TMBS. She has an extended group of dedicated friends and lives she has touched. She and Mike enjoyed trips all over the United States, China, Cuba, Russia, Europe and the Holy Lands. However, her favorite place to be was with her grandchildren. She loved to cook, play games, dress up, dance around the house, do chores and have tea parties with her grandchildren, great-nieces and nephews. She left a legacy of love and laughter that will last a lifetime.
Preceding her in death were her beloved husband of 49 years, Mike Brooks in January 2020, sister in law-Cindy Brooks Florio and precious nephew-Dalton Howard.
Survivors include two children-Dr. Lauren Brooks Southward and husband, Kent, Ringling, Judge Carson Brooks and wife Kelli, Ardmore; 7 grandchildren-Sydney, Sarah, Mikenli and Olivia Southward of Ringling, Kathryn, Luke and William Brooks of Ardmore. Half-brother, Rick Eichor and wife Susan, Honolulu, Brother, Jim Howard and wife Betty; Claypool, sister Kay Moore and husband Mike; Ringling brother Steve Howard and wife Kelly, Claypool, along with numerous nieces, nephews and great -nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers are Luke Brooks, Craig Gerken, Bill Moore, Joe McDonald, Tracy Gandy, TJ Neble, John Johnson, Waco Howard, Cory Campbell, Adam Hughes, Kade Howard and Rance Howard.
Honorary pallbearers are Pat Gaines, Biff Jackson, Joe Harris, Mark Stringfield, Steve Merlin, Russell Barber, Ronnie Austin, RHS Classes of 1968, 1992,1994 and her Sunday School Class.
We would like to thank Cross Timbers Hospice for tender care.
In lieu of flowers, she requested donations be made to the Ringling Methodist Church for a playground renovation.
Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 6-8 P.M. at Alexander Gray Funeral Home in Ringling.
Dona was born on October 10, 1950, in Waurika to Vella Key (Mathers) Howard and Donald Brown Howard. She was raised on her family’s ranch in the Claypool community in a house full of love and laughter. She attended grade school at Claypool until 3rd grade. When it closed, she transferred to Ringling. She loved her school days at Ringling; she was a cheerleader, homecoming royalty, a member of “The Blue Notes”, Rattlesnake Queen and active in FHA, 4-H and showed pigs at the Jefferson County Fair. She loved her classmates and graduated from RHS in 1968.
Upon high school graduation, she attended college at East Central University. She obtained a degree in Special Education with a minor in Speech in 1972 and later returned to get her Masters. While at ECU, she was named Miss Ada in 1969. Soon after that, she caught the eye of Student Senate President, Mike Brooks. They married in 1970 and returned to the ranch in 1972 to begin their life together. What an adventure they had!
Children were her passion. She taught Special Education and language arts subjects at Ringling Schools for 28 years and was Teacher of the Year in 1999. Her creative spirit was contagious. She produced numerous school plays, pep rally skits, and 4-H Share the Fun acts. Exhibiting God’s love through her actions was her life’s purpose. She served the church and the community by directing Vacation Bible School, assisting in the After School Kid’s Club program and was the RUMC Sunday School Superintendent for over 40 years. Her vision and unending energy lead to multiple projects including conception and completion of the Great Room addition to the church, expanding the church playground, The Christmas Card Luncheon and Backpack program. One of her most enjoyable memories was a mission trip to Alaska with her niece, Jessie Hughes, in 2005 to teach VBS. She created and served as the adult supervisor to the Claypool City Council which consisted of kids ages 5-10 years old and was featured in People magazine. For the community of Ringling, she directed many Main Street Melodramas and was instrumental in the Centennial Celebration and mural projects our town still enjoys. She was honored by the Ringling Chamber of Commerce in 2003 and 2015 for her work.
After her retirement, she and Mike traveled the world with good friends and family. They moved from the ranch into the Ardmore community in 2014. She loved to stay busy She was an accomplished singer, had beautiful flower gardens, danced with the Two Left Feet Club, cheered on the Blue Devils (and recently the Plainview Indians) in every sport and study God’s word at TMBS. She has an extended group of dedicated friends and lives she has touched. She and Mike enjoyed trips all over the United States, China, Cuba, Russia, Europe and the Holy Lands. However, her favorite place to be was with her grandchildren. She loved to cook, play games, dress up, dance around the house, do chores and have tea parties with her grandchildren, great-nieces and nephews. She left a legacy of love and laughter that will last a lifetime.
Preceding her in death were her beloved husband of 49 years, Mike Brooks in January 2020, sister in law-Cindy Brooks Florio and precious nephew-Dalton Howard.
Survivors include two children-Dr. Lauren Brooks Southward and husband, Kent, Ringling, Judge Carson Brooks and wife Kelli, Ardmore; 7 grandchildren-Sydney, Sarah, Mikenli and Olivia Southward of Ringling, Kathryn, Luke and William Brooks of Ardmore. Half-brother, Rick Eichor and wife Susan, Honolulu, Brother, Jim Howard and wife Betty; Claypool, sister Kay Moore and husband Mike; Ringling brother Steve Howard and wife Kelly, Claypool, along with numerous nieces, nephews and great -nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers are Luke Brooks, Craig Gerken, Bill Moore, Joe McDonald, Tracy Gandy, TJ Neble, John Johnson, Waco Howard, Cory Campbell, Adam Hughes, Kade Howard and Rance Howard.
Honorary pallbearers are Pat Gaines, Biff Jackson, Joe Harris, Mark Stringfield, Steve Merlin, Russell Barber, Ronnie Austin, RHS Classes of 1968, 1992,1994 and her Sunday School Class.
We would like to thank Cross Timbers Hospice for tender care.
In lieu of flowers, she requested donations be made to the Ringling Methodist Church for a playground renovation.
Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 6-8 P.M. at Alexander Gray Funeral Home in Ringling.