Donna Roynon Harris
Donna L. Roynon Harris, 67, of Carey, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 28, 2022, following a courageous battle with cancer.
On Dec. 8, 1954, Donna was born at home at 514 W. Findlay Street, Carey, the youngest of six children of the late Walter D. and M. Maxine (Bame) Roynon. She graduated from Carey High School in the class of 1973. She furthered her education, earning her bachelors degree in education from Findlay College. During her teaching career, she returned to school and earned her masters degree in education from the University of Findlay.
Donna started her teaching career with brief positions at Black River and Leipsic schools, until a position opened up for her at Liberty Benton Elementary School in Findlay. She taught several different grades during her 35-year career, though primarily she taught third graders. She truly loved being an educator and retired in 2013.
One fateful day while attending a singles meeting at St. Andrews United Methodist Church, Donna met her future husband, Joel Barrett Harris, and from there the rest is history. They were married a few years later, on July 26, 1986. Together they moved to Carey in 1996, and shared 35 loving years of marriage. He preceded her in death on Jan. 9, 2022.
Very faithful, Donna was an active 50-plus year member of Memorial United Methodist Church in Carey, where she taught Sunday school and vacation Bible school, sang in the choir and helped with the food pantry over the years. More recently, she served as the secretary for the church, designing newletters and bulletins that will be missed. She also helped with the Carey Christian Assistance (CCA) program and volunteered for the Carey Clothing Closet.
Donna was an avid reader and especially enjoyed Amish fiction. She also enjoyed watching movies, doing puzzles and collecting puppets, angels and nativity scenes. Donna also loved to sing, cherishing every opportunity to sing at the church and in various weddings; her voice will be truly missed.
Donna was a very strong woman, who could quickly corral a herd of children with her quick, very loud and infamous finger whistle to command attention. She had a silly side and enjoyed teasing those she loved, especially her nephews. She also had a kind, loving heart and would give her family and friends anything they ever needed. Most important of all to Donna was her family and she would drop everything to help her beloved daughters, grandchildren, siblings and nieces and nephews. Donna also loved to go overboard for her grandchildren for every birthday and holiday, getting special, yet also educational, gifts for every occasion. She will forever be remembered by her grandchildren as their wonderful “Mua.”
She will be dearly missed by her two daughters, Emily (Eli) Darnall and Rachel (Peter) Kidwell; a step-daughter, Jennifer French; eight grandchildren, Norah, Ezra, Rosie and new baby Darnall, Levi and Lilee Kidwell and Alex and Kaitlyn French; three sisters, Joyce Crist, Sue (Mike) Hartenstein and Mary Bonds; a sister-in-law, Nancy Roynon Beck; a brother-in-law, Carl Scranton; numerous nieces and nephews and many dear friends.
Including her husband and parents, Donna was preceded in death by two siblings, Artis Scranton and the Rev. James Roynon; and two brothers-in-law, Jerry Crist and Jerry Bonds. Her family will greet friends from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, June 6, at Memorial United Methodist Church, Carey. Services honoring her life are scheduled to be held there on Tuesday at 11 a.m., with their cousin, the Rev. Cynthia Morrison, officiating. Friends may again visit for an hour prior to her services. Burial will follow in Knollcrest Cemetery in Arcadia.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Memorial United Methodist Church or Carey Christian Assistance and they may be sent to the funeral home.
Arrangements are being handled by Stombaugh-Batton Funeral Home, Carey. Condolences may be shared with the family via www.StombaughBatton.com.
