Donna Louise Mayes passed away peacefully at her home in Rexburg, Idaho on Friday, September 30, 2011. She was 86.

"Donie" as her family called her was born in Waco, Texas on May 12, 1925 to Winfred Olive Horan and Emma Valentine Nichols, the first of seven children. Their home was a busy one and Donie had chores at an early age. She was a capable responsible girl. During the depression her mother never turned away a hungry traveler and they always had a houseful. She grew up loving people, helping other and the LDS church.

In 1943 her family moved to California and left Texas behind. She was seventeen years old. Working in a gas station was her first job during World War II. She met Jack Max Mayes on her first day of work and was married March 21, 1943 in San Jose, California. Subsequent to marriage two children were born, Verdonna R. Mayes of Rexburg, Idaho and John M. Mayes of Vale, Oregon.

Donie was a homemaker, a very spunky outgoing gal and love people and sales. She worked independently for Stanley Products for several years, was an entrepreneur before her time, trying different enterprises. She worked in the retail sector until her health started to fail. She was a leader, independent and strong. She held several callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but her favorite was teaching little children and she taught Primary for forty years.

She is survived by her children, Verdonna and John Mayes, Five grandchildren; Dayna Parkinson, Kenneth Kelley, Evette Victoria, Michael Mayes and Donna Koch, ten great grandchildren; Ken: Sean Kelley, Amber Kelley, Dylan Kelley, Faith Kelley, Evette: Ed Victoria, Caleb Victoria, Anne Johnson, Dayna: Brooke Parkinson, Donna: Brenn Koch, Wyatt Koch, Michael: Alyssa Mayes. Also surviving are Donie's siblings; Pearl Peters (Gene) of Campbell, CA, Betty Yeager (Al) of Morgan Hill, CA, Lillian Moreno (Ralph) of Chico, CA, MaryLou Fear (Jack) of Yakima, WA, Winfrey Horan (Barbara) of Newman, CA and Wesley Horan (Diane) of Los Banos, CA and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jack Max Mayes who died February 17,1997. Before his passing, they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Oakland, CA temple. He was a Pearl Harbor survivor of World War II. She is also preceded in death by her parents, brother-in-law Ralph Moreno, Brother -in-law George V. Mayes, sister-in-law Laura Carlson and sister-in-law Helen Knapp.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Services will be held in Morgan Hill, CA with interment in the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery.