Donna Gillenwater

Donna J. “Donnie” Gillenwater, 62, daughter of Raymond and Lorraine Gillenwater, joined her parents in Heaven on November 27, 2013 following an unexpected illness. Donna resided in Clendenin, WV and was born and raised in Madison, WV.

Donna graduated from Scott High School in Madison in 1969 and continued her education at the Charleston General School of Radiology Technicians where she obtained her certificate of completion. She was employed by Charleston General Radiology Department for several years as a radiology technician and supervisor. She then changed her profession and gained employment as a Pipe Fitter Foreman at Monsanto Chemical Company in Nitro, WV where she remained until the company dissolved. Donna returned to school and received her degree in Counseling from Marshall University which enabled her to do what she loved, making a difference in peoples’ lives. She absolutely loved her profession as a school counselor and considered the children her own, especially those of Sherman Elementary. She knew no boundaries when it came to the welfare of the kids, for such a small person, she was a giant when it came to protecting their health and safety. She was also able to work as an addictions’ counselor for the Charleston Methadone Clinic and Highland Hospital in Charleston, another area of counseling that was close to her heart. Donna served her country as a previous member of the Army National Guard and her community as a former Mayor of Clendenin. She was also a member of the Clendenin Lions Club.

In addition to her parents, Donna was preceded in death by her nephew, Jamie Gillenwater and nephew-in-law, Bill Hancock.

Those left to cherish her memory include her special friend; Carol Williams of Clendenin; sisters, Barbara (Smokey) Miller of Madison, Susie (Gary) Bell of Manila and Kathy (Kevin) Hill of Foster; brothers, Jim (Phyllis) Gillenwater of South Charleston and Ray (Pam) Gillenwater of Madison; nieces and nephews, Julie (Mike) Sizemore of Madison, Chris (Hope) Miller of Teays Valley, Angel Gillenwater of Charleston, Kortni Bell of Charlotte, NC, Ryan Bell of Pittsburgh, Penn, Kelly (Gary) Hill of Salisbury, NC, Dee (Kelly) Canterbury of Foster, , Adam Canterbury of Barboursville, Zach Gillenwater of Madison, Beth Smith of Uneeda, Mary Boggess, Sarah and Katherine Gillenwater of Madison; several great-nieces and nephews, cousins and extended family and friends; and special cousins, JoAnn Harmon and Sylvia Clark of Madison.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff of Sherman Elementary who became Donna’s “other family” during the past few years. She loved all of you and spoke fondly of the friendships she made there.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, December 2, 2013 at Handley Funeral Home, Danville with Randall Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Boone Memorial Park, Danville.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.