Phebe Louise Donham was born in Rector, AR, October 17, 1931 and was the daughter of John and Mary Snyder. She had 14 brothers and sisters, and is survived by her sister Betty Jean Counts of Rector, AR., two daughters, Jackie Stark and husband Randall, and Cecilia Wells and husband Charles, with whom she made her home in her final years. Her son, John Joseph (Joey) preceded her in death, March. 6, 1952 and husband Jack, preceded her in death in February 2016. She had five grandchildren, Julia Chellew Glick and husband Matthew, Natalie Jane Belcher and husband Brooks, Jeffrey Chellew, deceased, Cayla Phebe Howard and husband Luke and Caleb Ryan Wells. She also had four great-grandchildren Brooks and Cohen Belcher, Anna and Isaac Glick. As with most grandmas, her grandchildren were the light of her life. She also cherished many nieces and nephews.
Phebe was raised on a cotton farm and learned about hard work early in life. Starting at age 7 she chopped and picked cotton and played hard with her brothers in the foothills of northeastern Arkansas. She went to a one-room school house and later excelled in math and basketball.
Upon graduation she attended a business school in Memphis, TN. She followed her sister, Carlene to Ashland, OH, where she worked at Faultless Rubber with her future mother-in-law, Olive Donham. Olive became her cherished friend and spiritual teacher. Ultimately Phebe married Jack Donham in 1950. From humble beginnings she became a beautiful, hard-working wife and mother and cherished member of the Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Ashland OH. She taught her girls and many others how to live and love This was her greatest joy and her anchor in times of sadness.
Later in life she and Jack moved to Grand Rapids, MI, to be closer to family. She became a beloved member of the North Grand Rapids Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses and thrived there until her death. She loved talking and associating with her friends and was often the last to leave the Kingdom Hall
Phebe was known for being a classy lady who maintained her sense of humor, ready to tease and joke on demand. But, she was serious and strong in the face of uncertainty and heartache. If everyone lived their life as did Phebe, the world would be devoted to right, ready to help anyone who needs assistance, and ready to move into the new world she believed in - a new world promised at Rev. 21:3,4. We will see Mom there.
A Memorial Service is being held virtually on January 22, 2022, with Dennis Bork, of Fremont, OH officiating.
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