Donna Billie Deaton

If she met you, she loved you.

Our beloved Donna Billie Deaton went home to Jesus on March 27, 2021, at the age of 76.

Donna was born to William and Ledna Merle Young on August 18, 1944, in Grundy, Virginia. As a child, she enjoyed cheerleading, dancing, theater, and pageantry.  At the age of 19, she was crowned Miss Greater Akron. 

Donna met her soul-mate, Danny Lynn Deaton, in 1969, at Ohio Bible Institute. They later married in 1970 and began their life together in ministry. In the early years, they travelled across the US preaching and singing the Gospel, and made their first of many trips to Haiti where they planted seeds of ministry that are still flourishing to this day.  

In 1972, they accepted their first pastorate in Trinity, Alabama, and, in 1976, moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to assume the pastorate of what is now The Branch Community Church in Parma, Ohio.

Over the course of 50+ years in ministry, Donna’s many talents manifested through her ability to administrate a Christian school, daycare, and church. Her crowning achievement, however, has been evidenced by the countless lives over the years that have looked to her as a spiritual mother. She lived to serve and to encourage all those who she encountered. She gave her time and her heart selflessly.

In addition to ministry, Donna was a dedicated and loving mother. Her pride was her four children: Dreva, Darla, Dona, and Dan. 

Donna loved to make her home a place where all were welcome. She loved travelling to Florida and sitting on the beach collecting shells. She knew how to have fun and enjoyed spending time with friends.  

She was known for her big hair, big voice, and big love. We will forever miss her class, her beauty, her grace, and her encouragement.

Donna joins her parents, William and Ledna Merle Young; her miscarried child, William John Paul Deaton; brother, Dennis Young; and son-in-law, Jared Pauley, in Heaven. She is survived by children:  Dreva Lynn (the late Jared) Pauley, Darla Kay (Timothy) Ferrell, Dona Ledna Ruby (Jeremy) Kiner, Dan Marvin (Sarah) Deaton; Grand-Children: Madison Sonor Pauley, Maverick Avedis Pauley, Dalyn Zeal Kiner, Shea Adara Baca Ferrell, Maximus Alexander Deaton, Weston Valor Kiner, Audrey Belle Deaton, and Dalton Myles Ferrell; Brother: Ronald (Joanne) Young.

Family and friends are welcome on Friday, April 2, at The Branch Community Church, 6295 Broadview Rd, Parma, OH, from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm.  

A Celebration of Life service will be held at The Branch Community Church on Saturday, April 3 at 11:00 am (family will receive friends one hour prior to service). Her final resting place will be at Northlawn Memorial Garden Cemetery.

If you would like to send flowers, Donna’s favorite colored flowers were white.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalms 116:15