Irene Damon Donar

Irene Matilda Damon Donar was born on Sunday, November 15, 1931, to Orlando Damon and Victoria Asber Damon in Santos, FL. Irene was the seventh child of this union. She received her education in the Marion County school system, graduating from Howard High School (home of the Bulls). She attended Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, FL (home of the Wildcats).

Irene accepted Christ at 12 years of age and faithfully served Calvary Missionary Baptist Church for 80 years as a choir member, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School pianist, Deaconess, Missionary Society President, and Mother of the Church. At age 26, she married Cleveland Donar and had two children. Later, when Cleveland was called into the ministry, she faithfully served alongside him until his demise in July 1982. She truly had a heart for the children in the church and the community.

Irene was a school cafeteria manager at Belleview Santos High School and later moved to Lake Weir Middle School. Her combined service at these two schools totaled 39 and a half years, covering multiple generations of students. She is still remembered for her outstanding poetic and culinary skills, nourishing many people, including seniors in her community. She was extremely involved in her community, serving as a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Department, Ministers’ Wives & Widows, and the Missionary Society of the 2nd Bethlehem Baptist Association.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Victoria and Orlando Damon; her brothers, Orlando Jr., Albert, and Leroy Damon; her sisters, Catherine Bradley, Mary Ann LeCorn, Victoria Kiner, and Queenie Bell Little; her stepchildren, Cleveland John (CJ) Donar and Celestine (Celeste) Mary Donar Helton; and her special friend, Saalim (Sol) Abdullah.

Irene leaves her cherished memories to her children: Chrysanthia Eileen (Sandy) Donar of Ocala and Cedric Lee Donar (Denise) of Jacksonville, FL; her sister, Eliza Damon of Ocala, FL; her brother, Harold Damon of Ocala, FL; her grandchildren: Clevette Donar of Savannah, GA; Shanyse Carr (Byron) of Jacksonville, FL; Gianna Taylor-Collins (Johnny) of Ocala, FL; Milton Ward (Lyland) of Indianapolis, IN; Juan Ward of Albany, GA; Crystal Donar (Theresa) and Bruce Cutter (Miranda) of St. Petersburg, FL; numerous great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; cousins; friends; and neighbors, including a special neighbor, Deacon Robert Gallmon. She nurtured as her own, her goddaughter, Carolyn Kiner Hill (Ned) of Tallahassee, FL, Mona McCall, Cameron Kiner, and countless others. She had a caregiver extraordinaire, Wanda Lynn McCoggle affectionately known as Ole Wanda and a special caregiver, Paulishia Barclay, whom she affectionately named Lil’ Bracey.

Wake Service will be held on Friday, October 18, 2024, at 4:00 until 7:00PM at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 2701 SE 73rd St, Ocala, FL 34480.

Celebration of Life Services for Mrs. Irene Damon Donar will be held Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 11:00am at Church of God by Faith, 707 W Ft King St. Ocala, FL 34471.

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