Donna Mae (Brooks) Downing was born on June 16, 1951 in Olton, Texas, to Thomas Earl and Imaleta (Williamson) Brooks. She left this life to be with her Heavenly Father on our Lord's Day, Sunday, August 2, 2026, in Pauls Valley, OK, at the age of 75.

She grew up on the family farm in Garvin County, OK, and graduated salutatorian from Elmore City High School. As a young child she met the love of her life, Jesus Christ. Donna was raised in church and dearly loved God and her family. She loved doing anything to help spread the gospel. Donna took mission trips and worked in the local church. She enjoyed sharing Christ with others and longed to be used by God.

For twenty-five years Donna worked at Pauls Valley General Hospital and finished her career there as the Director of Medical Records. She was grateful for her many friends and the wonderful years at the hospital. She left to begin a new journey, following her childhood calling and desire to do fulltime ministry with her husband.

Donna married the man she loved, Joel Dean Downing, in Stratford, OK, on April 5, 1996. Together they set out to do all they could to serve the Lord and bless others. After a year of ministering together in Arizona, Donna spent the next twenty years along-side her husband as co-pastors of Higher Ground Church and Ministries in Pauls Valley, OK. She loved leading praise and worship, training women to minister, and leading small groups and women's events. She was grateful every day to be fulfilling a life-long calling to serve in ministry. God's Word, prayer, and worship, were central to everything she did. She witnessed many lives transformed by God and cherished being used in any part of that process. She was affectionately known as "Pastor Donna." A title she loved.

Family was everything to Donna. She spent her free time with her parents and was by their side with every opportunity as they aged. She loved her three siblings and their children. She was "Aunt Donna" to her niece and four nephews. She gladly spoiled each of them while they were kids.

Donna cherished getting the opportunity to have her own family, eventually becoming "Grandma Downing" to four precious grandchildren. She enjoyed many tea parties, holidays, and just being together with them. That special feeling was with her through the rest of her life. Gwen, Tim and Lan, and grandchildren Destiny, Trinity, Justice, and Isaac, all made her life full and complete. She spent hours praying and believing God to bless her children and grandchildren.

During retirement, Donna and Joel enjoyed vacations on the beach and traveling to many beautiful places. They enjoyed going to church with their family and worshiping together. This was the life Donna loved. When dementia became part of her journey, she chose to value every moment. She was prepared to meet her Lord and stayed close to him throughout her illness. Her prayers and warm smiles blessed all who were near her during this time. Thinking about being with Jesus and her loved ones always warmed her heart and made her smile.
Donna is survived by her husband Joel of the home; her daughter Gwen Downing of Norman, OK; her son Tim Downing and his wife Lan of Norman, OK; and her grandchildren Destiny Downing, Trinity Downing, Justice Downing, and Isaac Downing.

She is also survived by her mother Imaleta Brooks of Oklahoma City, OK; her sister Leta Hutchison and husband Glenn of Barnsdall, OK; her brother David Brooks and wife Linda of El Reno, OK; her sister Leona Nation and husband Rip of Yukon, OK; her niece Melynna Hutchison; her nephews Patrick Hutchison, Quint Brooks, Chad Brooks, and Chase Nation; and a number of both great, and great-great, nieces and nephews.

Donna was preceded in death by her father Earl Brooks who she longed to see again in Heaven.

A service to celebrate Donna's life is scheduled for Friday, August 7, 2026 at 10:00 A.M. at Crossroads Church in Pauls Valley, OK. Interment will be in the Hillside Cemetery in Purcell, OK. Visitation for Donna will be on Thursday, August 6, 2026 from 9:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. at Wooster Funeral Home in Pauls Valley, OK. If you would like to send your condolences to the family, you may do so at www.woosterfuneralhomes.com