Donna Mears, 86 of Friona passed away December 8, 2022. Viewing was held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM with family visitation from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM Tuesday, December 13, 2022 in the Ron Smiley Memorial Chapel of HANSARD FAMILY with Celebration of Life Services scheduled for 2:00 PM Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at the Union Congregational Church of Friona with Rev. Gary Johnson, officiating. Burial following in the Friona Cemetery by HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona.
Donna was born October 15, 1936 in the family home in Norman, Oklahoma, to Roy Virgil Miller and Eva Geraldine Roysden Miller. She married William Sam Mears on May 31, 1958 in Friona, Texas. The couple's first home was in Borger, Texas. Sam and Donna returned to Friona in 1962 and lived there for the rest of their lives. The were happily married for 61 1/2 years.
Donna attended her first three years of school in New Orleans. She graduated from Friona High School in 1954 and from Texas Tech University in 1958 with a BS in Education with a major in Physical Education and a minor in Math. Her first job was teaching high school math at FHS for four years. Later, she served as Music Secretary at First Baptist Church for five years. She was the office manager at Intheden Graphics since 1986. She was also active in the Women's Modern Study Club including serving as President. The service organization supported community activities including Project Christmas Card. She taught Sunday school for many years and was actively involved in WMU (Women's Missionary Union) which supported mission work in the U.S. and around the world.
Three of her favorite activities were reading, cooking, and sewing. A conservative estimate is that she read over 5,000 books during her lifetime. Zane Grey was her favorite Western author. Her culinary talents included not only meals but also canning, freezing, homemade jellies and jams, as well as Butter Pecan ice cream for Noon Lions Club members when they cooked fries for the cheeseburger festival. She sewed clothes for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even for her great's dolls. During the past year, she made baby blankets that were donated to hospitals, churches, and family resource centers.
One of her greatest joys the past few years has been communicating via email, texts, and FaceTime with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren on her Apple iPad and iPhone.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Sam; her parents; three brothers, Roy V., Ross, and Johnny; and two sisters, Mary Lou and Janice.
Those to carry on her legacy include son Clint Mears of Friona, and daughter Sarah Mears Geries and husband Randy Geries of Friona. Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren include Randy and Sarah's children: daughter Mandy, husband Nathan Rigler, and sons Noah and Nash of Abernathy, Texas; daughter Amy, husband David Bridges, and daughters Rowyn and Rylee of Carrollton, Texas; daughter Andrea, husband Rhett King, son Ronin, and daughter August of Frisco, Texas; son Ryan Geries, wife Lindsey, and sons Ethan and Jordan of Plano, Texas.
Also, sister Linda Tims of Sunray, and sister-in-law Nelda Talley and her husband Leon of Lubbock.
Memorials may be sent to the Friona Public Library 109 W. 7th St. Friona, Texas 79035
You may send blessings to the family and sign the online guest book at: hansardfamily.com
Larry Vance Johnson passed away Saturday, December 10th, 2022. Larry was born to Truett & Thelma Johnson in Hereford, Texas on August 17th, 1947. He was raised in Friona and later played football for Friona High School as a starting halfback. After graduation he attended West Texas State University where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Larry married Debbie (Jarecki) at the Friona United Methodist Church on August 22nd, 1969.
He went on to work for Diamond Shamrock Refining and Marketing and was a Texas High School Football Official for many years. He later served as Vice President of Bar-F Gas & Oil. Later in his career Larry was a representative of John Hancock Financial Services and President of the National Life Underwriters Association.
Larry is preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Nathan Johnson; father-in-law, Florian Jarecki; and brothers-in-law, Tom Jarecki and Les Jarecki.
He is survived by his wife Debbie, two sons and daughters-in-law: Joshua & Kendra Johnson and Jeff & Jourdan Johnson; mother-in-law, Lorraine Jarecki; as well as his sister, brothers, and in-laws: Shirley & Mark Womble, Rick & Toni Johnson, Tony & Lori Johnson, Pam & Mike Steward, Susie & Rob Burton, and John & M'Lynda Jarecki. Larry is also survived by many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The absolute joy of Larry's life are the grandchildren he shared with Debbie: Atleigh (11), Case (9), Tristan (7), Ayden (7), Nathan (deceased), and Beacon (3).
A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, December 16th at Friona United Methodist Church.