In loving memory of

Donnie Ward Spradley
February 26, 1948 - May 10, 2014

Donnie McReynolds Spradley, 66, went to be with the Lord Jesus on May 10, 2014, in Dallas, Texas. Donnie was born February 26, 1948, in Saratoga Springs, New York, to May Ward Donaldson McReynolds and Rodney E. McReynolds.Donnies home going was sudden and unexpected. She and her husband, Hershall Wesley Spradley, were showing his wildlife photography in the Paw Prints Art Fest at the Dallas Zoo over Mothers Day weekend. On Saturday, May 10, Donnie went to the caf by Cat Green on the zoo grounds to get lunch. Her husband saw her come back, saw her set lunch down on the picnic table behind their tent and heard her call. Baby, come sit down and eat your lunch. In the minute it took him to give her his attention, in the twinkling of an eye, she was gone.Donnie received a BA in accounting from TCU in January 1968, and a MA in Conflict Resolution from St. Edwards in 2000. Donnie was an accomplished professional, working as a CPA the last 25 years for Hoelscher CPA in Austin and finishing her career with Atchley and Associates. Remarkably, Donnie graduated from college, married her college sweetheart, and went to work in public accounting for Arthur Young and Co in Fort Worth, Texas, all when she was 19. She was the first woman accountant for AYs Fort Worth office.Donnies life focused on her walk with Jesus, her beloved husband of 46 years, her children and her grandchildren. She was involved in the New Life in Christ Prison ministry and volunteered her time as a mediator for the Dispute Resolution Center in Austin. She and her husband taught at the Union Bible Institute in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. She was looking forward to more short term mission trips with her husband as she entered into retirement.Her influence ranged from her prayer and Bible study ministry with women in Texas prisons to many young women in her church to pastors and their wives in South Africa. She gave her life to Jesus Christ as a 14 year old girl and served Him with loving adoration and faith till the very moment of her home going.Donnie was predeceased by her father, mother and her brother, Scott. She is survived by her husband, Wes, and her children, Leslie, Jonathan, and Daniel, their spouses, Monte, Maxine, and Laura, eight grandchildren, Layton, Madison, Landon, Claire, Andrew, Nathan, Joanna, and Kate, and her sister, Robin, and her brother, Bruce. Special thanks to the staff of the Dallas Zoo and Dallas EMS, who tried desperately to save Donnies life.The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Friday, May 16, 2014, at Harrell Funeral Home, 4435 Frontier Trail, Austin, Texas.A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, May 17, 2014, at First Evangelical Free Church, 4220 Monterrey Oaks Boulevard, Austin, Texas.The family suggests memorials be made to Team International Christian Missions, PO Box 969, Wheaton, IL 60187 or www.team.org . ** Please make a note that the gift is for the Donnie Spradley Memorial.

Tributes

A. Bell wrote on May 30, 2014:

"I'm so sorry for your loss. Please accept my deepest sympathy. May you find comfort from your memories, as well as Gods word the bible. Why do people we love die? Romans 5:12 says: "That is why, just as through one man (Adam) sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned." How loving of God to promise what is found at Revelation 21:4 which says, And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."

Bob and Melody Leach wrote on May 18, 2014:

"May God continue to grant you HIs comfort and peace in the days and weeks ahead. The memories of the Spradleys go back many years and your lives have set a godly example. Donnie's legacy of faithfully following Jesus will continue on and on."

glenda embree wrote on May 18, 2014:

"How much fuller life has been for having had the blessing of knowing Donnie. We shared the St. Edward's course experience and time at the Dispute Resolution Center. Donnie lived life fully and with love - that is truly a life well lived. To Wes and her beloved family, may you find solace in the days ahead in having shared love well lived."

Daryl Wilson wrote on May 17, 2014:

"It was a joy to get to know Donnie and Wes when they were ministering at Blue Ridge a Bible Church. Her life exemplifies the faithfulness to Christ that we should all strive for. Peace and grace to Wes and the whole family."

Rick Reece wrote on May 16, 2014:

"After joining the Austin church where Wes was pastoring, Donnie reached out to our family. I will always treasure the great love that Donnie showed to our family. How in the good times and the hard times, Donnie was always ready to listen, reach out to help, or just provide a hug. She definitely was a Big River (Amazon size) of God's love to Wes, her family, friends and those in prison and around the world. I pray for God's peace, mercy and strengh to all; and may His Spirit show us all how to walk with Him more closely as Donnie is doing now."

Dan Bishop wrote on May 16, 2014:

"What a wonderful summary of a life well lived. Thank you for sharing the blessings of her life and work and family. May your memories be many, and often. DanB"

Sherry Lewis Bowden wrote on May 15, 2014:

"Donnie and I were sorority sisters at TCU in the 1960s. I knew her then as a kind and compassionate girl with a huge smile for everyone. What a joy to visit with her at our reunion a year or two ago, and learn we were also sisters in Christ. What a legacy of service she has! My husband and I are praying for the comfort of her family and all those who loved her."

Bill & Carole Robishaw wrote on May 15, 2014:

"Donnie was always a beautiful woman of God, who trully represented all that Jesus expects each of us to do for glorifying Him. Wes, we know you're missing her but we also know the separation will be for a brief time until you can reunite with her and others who have gone ahead. Wish we could be there but our prayers continue for you all.God Bless brother."

Peggi Powers wrote on May 14, 2014:

"Donnie was as a sorority sister. Her life examplified everything that was good and honorable. I am so glad we got to catch up at the KD reunion. I will cherish my memories of her as I know all of you will. My prayers and love go out to you her family. I know what a great loss this is. May God comfort you all as only He can. God Bless"

Peggi Powers wrote on May 14, 2014:

"Donnie was as a sorority sister. Her life examplified everything that was good and honorable. I am so glad we got to catch up at the KD reunion. I will cherish my memories of her as I know all of you will. My prayers and love go out to you her family. I know what a great loss this is. May God comfort you all as only He can. God Bless"