Donna Lynne (Brown) Woolley January 3, 1952 ~ January 16, 2025 (age 73)

Funeral services for Donna Woolley, 73, of Portales, will be held at 10:00 AM, Wed., Jan. 29, 2025, in the Wheeler Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Elizabeth Kirkwood officiating.  Burial will follow in the Portales Cemetery.  The family requests in lieu of floral tributes, donations to either the First United Methodist Church for King’s Kids Ministry or the Wesley Foundation at Eastern New Mexico University.  The family wishes to express their deep appreciation for the caring staff at Wheatfields Memory Care Unit for their attention and care for Donna over the past 2 ½ years.

Donna Lynne Woolley was born Jan. 3, 1952, in Portales to the home of Marie “Lavon” (McCormack) and Elton Loy Brown and passed from this life on the afternoon of Jan. 16, 2025, in Clovis.  Donna was a 1970 graduate of Portales High School where she was a cheerleader and baton twirler for the band. Following high school, she attended Eastern New Mexico University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education.  She began her teaching career as a high school math instructor at Three Way, TX, and later taught at Dora High School.  In 1990, Donna completed a master’s degree, and in addition to teaching in the public schools, she also taught evening classes at ENMU.

On June 1, 1985, in Portales, she was married to Michael Scott Woolley.  In 1991, her Air Force husband was transferred from Cannon AFB to Robins AFB, GA.  While living there, she was a substitute teacher and became a Girl Scout Leader.  In 1993, when Mike was sent to Korea, she moved back to Portales and resumed teaching throughout the area. Donna was deeply involved in the mission of First United Methodist Church where she was active in King’s Kids and Vacation Bible School, as well as any other role where she could make a significant contribution.

In 1997, Mike and Donna were transferred to Langley AFB, VA.  As was her pattern, she was again teaching and working as a leader in the Girl Scout troupe. Donna became very involved with the Angel Tree program, providing Christmas gifts for underprivileged children and that continued for a number of years wherever they were stationed. 1998 found them stationed at Little Rock AFB, where Donna continued all of her other activities as well adding bowling.

Over the next several years of military stations, Donna continued her involvement with the Angel Tree program where she alongside the US Marine Corps ministered to 2500 children.  She was also deeply involved in the Airman’s Attic where they kept countless household items for distribution.  Finally, in 2008, her husband retired, and they moved back to their home in Portales to be close to family.

Throughout her lifetime, Donna was continuously involved in her church, and after returning to Portales, she was also active at the Wesley Foundation on the campus of ENMU.  For several years she was also a member of a bowling league in Clovis.  Her devotion to her family and her community was at the heart of who she was. For the past eleven years she had battled various diseases, but her battle is finally done.

She is survived by her husband, Mike Woolley of their home; two daughters and son-in-law, Stacey D. Gikas Haley of Portales and Marissa J. and Nate Hyde of Denver, CO; a son, Michael Richard Woolley of Robert Lee, TX; four grandchildren, Hunter (Brock) Dearing, Madison (Toby) Lee, Wilson Haley and Austin Hyde; and three great-grandchildren, Baylor Rae Lee, Brystal Lynne Lee and Blake Ivy Dearing.  She was preceded in death by her brother, Mack Brown who died in 2012, as well as her father Elton who also died in 2012, and her mother, Lavon Brown who died in 2023.

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