Deleta Donathan's Obituary
Deleta LaFaye Bullard Donathan, 84 of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma passed from this life on Thursday, June 20, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her family by her side. She was born June 15, 1935 in Wister, Oklahoma to her parents, Hazel Magness Bullard and Herman Bullard and she was the first of three children.Deleta attended elementary school in Victor Oklahoma; Fanshawe High School; Eastern Oklahoma State College; and then Southeastern State College where she earned her Bachelor of Science in education. After graduation, she began a career as a teacher in and around Wister, Oklahoma and starting in 1965, she began teaching in the Broken Arrow Public Schools. She retired in 1993 after serving for 33 years. After retirement she continued her involvement in Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority and enjoyed gardening, spending time with her grandchildren, scrapbooking, water aerobics, reading, music and cooking for her family. She was actively involved in her Sunday School class as well as the Senior Choir of Arrow Heights Baptist Church. She lived in Broken Arrow from 1965 to the present. She was married to Tommy J. Donathan on September 2, 1955 at Wister, Oklahoma who preceded her in death in 2014. She was a member of Wister First Baptist Church, Wilburton First Baptist Church, Durant First Baptist Church and Arrow Heights Baptist Church.As an educator and active member of the Broken Arrow community, Deleta was a positive influence on many people. Along with her husband Tom, himself an administrator in the Broken Arrow School system, she played a vital role in her community at a time when Broken Arrow went from being a small town to a large suburban city. She was known for being a dignified, gracious, caring person, willing to invest in the lives of others. She poured herself into her family and loved her husband, sons and daughter-in-laws, grandchildren and their spouses as well as her great grandchildren. Her faith was her anchor and she passed her love of her Lord on through the generations.She is survived by two sons, Scott Donathan and his wife LaDonna of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and Terry Donathan and his wife Susan of Apex, North Carolina; one brother, Wendell Ray Bullard of Wister, Oklahoma; one sister, Yvonne Moore of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, Justin Donathan, Tara Sherin, Kent Donathan, Nicole Donathan and Michael Donathan; and twelve great-grandchildren, Noelle, Gracie, Evy, Ambrose, Dorothy, Oliver, Georgia, Olivia, Kyle, Gage, Allie and Katie. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Tom Donathan in 2014; grandson, Evan Donathan; and great-granddaughter, Esther Donathan.Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 23, 2014 at Floral Haven Funeral Home. A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 24, 2019 at Arrow Heights Baptist Church in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma with Pastor Andy Taylor and Pastor Bob Green officiating.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Clarehouse, 7617 S Mingo Rd, Tulsa, OK 74133 in Deleta’s honor.
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