Donna Craighead

Donna Maree Ring Craighead, 86, died June 4, 2018, in Richardson, TX.  A 59-year resident of Stillwater, she moved to Texas in December 2016, to be near family. Visitation will be Wednesday, June 6, 2018, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Strode Funeral Home.  Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 7, 2018, at the First Baptist Church, Stillwater, OK. The Reverend Greg Oppenhuis, her Texas pastor, will officiate.  Interment will be in High Point Cemetery in Buffalo, OK.

Donna was born in Buffalo, OK, on May 22, 1932, to William H and Gladys M Ring.  She attended public schools in Buffalo, until the family moved to Kansas.  She graduated from Sedgwick High School in 1950.  She graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University in December, 1953 and became the Dean of Women at Northeastern Oklahoma State University in Miami, OK.

Donna and Max R Craighead were married on June 4, 1954, in Buffalo, OK.  They lived in San Antonio, TX, for the next year to allow Max to complete his military commitments. Donna taught Physical Education during this time, and continued when the couple moved to Ponca City, OK.  When they moved to Stillwater after Max’s graduation from Oklahoma A & M, Donna worked as a secretary in the Agronomy Department on campus.  She retired in 1962 when their daughter, Melanie Maree, was born. Todd Max was born in 1969.

Donna was an active member of First Baptist Church, Stillwater, and served there for many years.  She helped in Vacation Bible School, and served on the Hospitality Committee, preparing many dozens of cookies and angel food cakes for funeral dinners.  Donna was a member of the Home Demonstration Club, serving as President several times.  She was also a member of P.E.O., a philanthropic organization dedicated to the advancement of women in education. In addition, she was a member of the Serendipity Book Club.  “Mrs. Craighead” was a substitute teacher for many years at Stillwater Middle School and C.E. Donart High School in Stillwater.  In addition, she served on the Alumni Board of Oklahoma Baptist University, and was appointed to the City of Stillwater Accessibility Board.

Donna was an avid reader, and a student of history, particularly German and Russian, due to her ancestry.  While she was a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University, she became a loyal supporter of Oklahoma State University athletics by default – she married Max Craighead!

Donna was predeceased by an infant daughter; her parents and her husband, Max.

She is survived by daughter Melanie Maree and husband Wes Moore, Garland, TX; son Todd Max, Oklahoma City, OK; brother-in-law Rex Wilkinson, Muskogee, OK; two granddaughters, Zoë Maree Moore, Garland, TX, and Emily Ann Craighead, Edmond, OK; sister, Gwenda Lea Smith, Plano, TX; brother, Spencer Ring, Wichita, KS, plus many loving nieces, nephews, and other relatives, friends, and former co-workers.

After the Graveside service High Point Cemetery the family will gather at the Buffalo First Baptist Church.