Donaldson, Patricia Lee 

Patricia Lee Donaldson died Saturday, June 245, 2006, at her home, due to 
complications with muscular dystrophy. The oldest daughter of "Red" and 
Zell Whitworth, she was born July 5, 1937, in St. Louis, Mo. In 1942, the 
family moved to Longview. Pat attended South Ward Elementary, Foster Junior 
High, and graduated from Longview High School in 1955. Band was a major part 
of her high school life. She carried a snare drum during marching season and 
was recognized by her high-flung drum sticks. During concert season, she 
excelled in playing the tympani. She married Ron Wier in May of 1956. During 
a 15-year career as a U.S. naval officer's wife, she had the opportunity to 
live in San Diego, Calif., San Francisco, Calif., Virginia Beach, Va., Norfolk, 
Va., and Plantation, Fla. She and Ron had three sons: Richard, who died in 
infancy in 1960; John, who was born in 1965; and lastly, Thomas, who was born 
in 1967. In 1973, she and her sons moved to Hallsville. John and Thomas 
graduated from Hallsville High School, where Pat had become a custodian. Many 
former students still remember Miss Pat as someone who would listen to their 
problems. A friend of 30 years came back into her life in 1986 when she married 
Paul Donaldson on August 14, 1986. Paul was a driver for Wheaton Van Lines, and 
during one period of 10 months, Pat traveled with him from coast to coast, 
moving families and seeing the country. Pat loved being a part of the Hallsville 
First United Methodist Church. She sang in the church choir, was the church 
librarian, sponsored the Senior Adult Group, and had great joy teaching the 
children in Sunday school. Despite the increasing limitations caused by the 
disease, with the help of her husband and many friends, she continued bo be 
active outside the home and never lost her bright smile or her ability to say 
"Amen" during the sermon time. She is survived by her devoted husband of nearly 
20 years, Paul Donaldson of Hallsville; her sons, John Wier of Dearborn, Mich., 
and Thomas Wier and his wife, Shawn, of Mount Juliet, Tenn.; and her sister, 
Mickie Hand of Longview. Her grandchildren include Timothy, Thea, Kimberly, and 
James Wier. Also surviving Pat are her step-children, Andrew and his wife, 
Desiree Donaldson, James Donaldson, and David and his wife, Leigh, Donaldson; 
step-grandchildren, Jayna, Matthew, and Ryan Donaldson; and nieces and nephews, 
Jimmy and April Hand, Angie and Bob Kline, and Mary and Jeff Kannard. A 
celebration of Pat's life service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, July 8, 2006, 
at the First United Methodist Church of Hallsville, with the Rev. Jeff Hastings 
presiding, and Dr. Del Covington assisting. In lieu of flowers, memorial 
contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Hallsville. 
Visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday evening, June 27, 2006, at Rader 
Funeral Home of Longview. A memorial guestbook may be signed online at 
www.raderfh.com.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 6/27/2006.