OKLAHOMA CITY

Lay, Donna Denise, 59, teacher, died March 9. Services 1 p.m. Wednesday, Western Hills Church (Sunny Lane, Del City).

Published in The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Sunday, March 13, 2016, Page 21A.

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Donna Denise Lay, a teacher passionate about literature, dies at 59, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She left her earthly body and stepped into her beloved Lord and Savior's welcoming arms on March 9, 2016; surrounded by her loving family, pastor, and friends.

She was born in Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis on October 20, 1956 to Richard Cain and Ivy (Bassue) Williams.

Smart and motivated Donna left the Caribbean at a young age to attend Oklahoma Baptist University in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

She received a B.A. in Education from Oklahoma Baptist University. While raising her five children, she earned a Master's degree in Education from Oklahoma Baptist University and graduated with distinct academic honor of Magna Cum Laude. She served over twenty five years in the Oklahoma Public School system, starting as middle school literature teacher at F.D. Moon, working her way up to an administrator at Capitol Hill and Webster Middle school. She spent her final days teaching at Santa Fe South High School where she strived to ensure her students not only had her as an educator but as a friend as well.

Children of all ages adored and gravitated toward her. She was an exceptional teacher who had high standards and high expectations for her students. "She really wouldn't accept anything less."

Donna was a faithful member of Western Hills Church for many years. Her character and integrity exemplified the life of the virtuous woman (Proverbs 31). "Donna cared for her family, she was generous from the heart, authentic, and her worth was far more than rubies. Her children find her wisdom to last them through the years, and they call her blessed." Donna was an exceptional woman who enjoyed beautiful flowers, traveling, shopping, and cooking. Her home was a magnet for her children's friends; they enjoyed good food and plenty of laughter. She was a surrogate mother to so many; always offer an encouraging word and good advice for their situation.

She was naturally inquisitive, fun-loving, and compassionate, with a wonderful sense of humor. Above all she loved spending time with her family

Donna excelled at every roles-mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, educator, advisor, mentor, and friend. She was intensely loyal and protective of those she loved. Her intelligence, determination, faith, made her the rock of the Lay family. Our lives were shaped by her love and care.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children Taylor, Adrian, Jeremy, Elizabeth, Victoria; brothers, Elston Williams, Ian Williams, Ashton Williams, Denzel Williams; two grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends.

When someone you love becomes a memory….that memory becomes a treasure.

Arrangements under the direction of Sunny Lane Funeral Home, Del City, OK.