Donna Marie (Brotherton) Criss

August 4, 1944 - February 7, 2022

Donna Marie (Brotherton) Criss was born on August 4, 1944, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and passed away in her home in Maysville on February 7, 2022. She was the daughter of Maurice and Imogene Brotherton. As a child, Donna attended church with her grandmother, and at the age of six accepted Jesus Christ as her savior. That decision would be the foundation for the rest of her life and her family’s lives. On Christmas Day, 1960, Donna’s cousin Larry introduced her to his friend, a hot-rodding rebel named Roy. They fell helplessly in love, and after many a destroyed transmission and pleas from her father to pick anyone else, Roy and Donna became husband and wife. As she often said, there could never be anyone else for either of them. Their love story brought forth three children- Robin, Ryan, and Wren. Donna was a devoted wife and mother, spending most of her time raising her kids and helping Roy run his auto repair shop. Donna was a pillar of the church. She served wherever there was a need and did so with the absolute joy of the Lord. Her servant’s heart has been a blessing to countless people throughout the years. Donna loved to worship her Lord in song and was gifted with a sweet alto voice. Donna, Roy, and their dear friend Dianna formed the southern gospel trio, Homeward Bound, and traveled the Midwest spreading the Word with their music ministry. She always said she sang the “what’s left” part, but she truly loved singing harmony and loved coloring in the tones that completed a melody. Donna was so much to so many. She was never absent or withdrawn, but always fully present with whoever needed her advice or attention. She actively worked to make people feel seen and heard, and ministry was her greatest passion. She loved the Lord, and she loved her family, and she loved sharing with people about her love for both. Her heart for the Lord and His people fueled her very existence. Donna fought the good fight, from salvation to eternity. It is bittersweet to be in this world without her in it, but we know she is home with her savior. Praise God for His faithfulness, and that we do not grieve as those who have no hope. “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”, 2 Corinthians 5:8. Donna is preceded in death by her parents, Maurice and Imogene Brotherton; her son, Ryan Criss; and her husband, Roy Criss. She is survived by her daughters: Robin Criss of Maysville; Wren Rains and husband Jamie of Elmore City; grandchildren: Alishia Spray of Tuttle; Danny and Misty Spray of Wagoner; Calvin and Lauren Blankenship of Tulsa; Chloe and Stephen King of Purcell; Caleb and Stephanie Blankenship of Lindsay; and great-grandchildren Quentin, Wiley, Raylan, Jadyn, Sebastian, Kennedy, Eliana, and Bennett. A funeral service to honor the life of Donna is set to begin at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, February 11, 2022, at the Abundant Love Fellowship Church in Maysville, Oklahoma. She will be laid to her final rest next to Roy at the Maysville Cemetery following the service. Services are under the direction of Scott and Angel Wilbourn of Wilbourn Family Funeral Home in Lindsay, Oklahoma. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.wilbournfamilyfuneralhome.com