Janis Kay Donley

Janis Kay Donley, formerly of Cordell, passed away on June 29^th, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City with her sons by her side, just two days short of her 88^th birthday. 

Janis was born on July 1, 1935 in Cordell, OK to Roderick and Adine Redwine, and lived in Cordell for most of her life.  She graduated from Cordell High School in 1953, and then attended Harding College in Searcy, AR, graduating in 1956 with a degree in Home Economics.  After college, she taught home economics in Denver, CO schools for two years.

In 1958, Janis married Lowell Donley and moved to Weatherford, OK, where he was a preacher at the Weatherford Church of Christ.   In 1961, Janis and Lowell moved to Cordell, OK, where he became the first Administrator of the Cordell Christian Home.  They had three sons, Philip, Steven, and Alan.

In addition to keeping up with her three active boys, Janis was deeply involved in the Cordell Christian Home (CCH) nursing home, where she initially coordinated meal menus, and later served as the Activities Director.   Lowell often remarked that he could not have run CCH without her by his side.  Janis continued to work at CCH after Lowell’s retirement in 1990, later becoming a board member.   She was a long-time member at the 4^th & College Church of Christ where she taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School classes for many years.

In retirement, Janis and Lowell, along with Rex and Annette Herren, purchased the 1907 Opera House in Cordell, where they operated the Opera House Antiques Mall for several years.  When not scouring garage scales or attending the Dallas market in support of the Antiques Mall, Lowell and Janis also enjoyed visiting with family and traveling.

After Lowell passed away in 2005, Janis found love again and married Van Hall of Cordell on February 29^th, 2008.  Janis and Van continued to live in Cordell until 2014, when Janis suffered a stroke, after which they moved together to Edmond, Oklahoma

Throughout her life, Janis was a loving and selfless caregiver—taking care of people seemed to be a part of her DNA.  She dedicated many years in support of family members, including her son Philip, both her husbands and her aging parents.  Later in life, after the stroke, she continued checking in on both new and old friends.

Janis is preceded in death her first husband, Lowell Donley, and her second husband, Van Hall.  She was also preceded in death by a son, Philip Donley, and by a brother, Farrell Redwine.

She is survived by sons Alan Donley; Steven Donley and wife Amy; and grandchildren Jillian and Cameron Donley.  She is also survived by her sister Mary Mattern Pope; brother George Redwine and wife Winnie; and Van’s daughter Jan Hanan and her husband Russ, and many nieces and nephews. 

The family would like to thank all the friends and family who have visited and provided support to Janis during her time at the Tealridge Assisted Living Center in Edmond.  At Janis’ request, her life will celebrated at a graveside service at a future date.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Heart Association.