Donna Gail Hancock
January 23, 1956 ~ May 29, 2012
Dedication: Donna Hitchings-Hancock, our beloved sister and daughter, passed on to eternal life on the evening of Tuesday, May 29th, at Northeast Baptist Hospital with her family by her side telling her we love her. She was the first born child to Frank Hitchings Jr of San Antonio, Texas, and Ettabell Hitchings of Falls City Texas, on January 23rd, 1956 in Cocoa Beach, Florida while our father was stationed on Patrick Air Force Base. Going peacefully in her sleep, her family granted her wish to leave this world naturally without any type of life support. This decision by her was one that we ultimately but understandably accepted, since she struggled greatly with a debilitating progressive lung disease over the past 7 to 8 years. However, she gave it the ultimate fight like no one could, especially over the last two years, and refused to live her life any way but the way she desired - an admirable trait indeed. It was fruitless to try to change her mind about anything she loved. During the last two years while staying with us, her brother would try to change her diet calling him the "food warden" in a game of hide the chips. He would lose this battle. Every morning her mother became the "coffee fairy". Her early school days included St Pious Catholic School and graduation from MacArthur High School in San Antonio in 1974. She was the ultimate people person, with an extremely outgoing, heartfelt personality, and her jobs included those that served others in direct fashion. A great joy was cooking. It is no surprise that some of her favorite activities included spending time with friends and family, and enjoyed doing things - whatever it may have been - for them. Giving gifts was a greater joy it seemed, than receiving, and as such, you could do no wrong giving her a card more than anything else. She would marry later in life, calling this the happiest day of her life. Survived by her mother Ettabell Hitchings, brother Darryl Hitchings, sister Denise Nebgen, and brother-in-law Gary Nebgen. Her family will miss her. She loved flowers, but in lieu of them you may also donate to the American Lung Association in her name.
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My heart truley goes out to Bell, Denise and Darell for their loss. When I was around Donna she always had time for me and made me feel happy. I know that her and little Joe are up in heaven having a good time. Momma, Amy and me will miss her.
My thoughts and prayers are with Henriatta and her family. Donna was a sweet and loving person and she will be missed. May God comfort you in your time of need. God Bless.
God bless you and your family. My prayers are with you.
When the family got together, Donna was the cousin with the biggest smile. She is probably around that great poker table in heaven watching her dad, my dad, and all her uncles try to win each hand. I am sure she will be missed.
My cousin Donna was one of those people you dont ever forget about. I cant remember a time when she didnt just exude happiness to those around her with not only her words, but her actions. That in itself says a lot this woman, but she would also bend over backwards to help you if she could. It was just her nature. Donna never pretended to be someone she wasnt. What you saw is what you got and if you were lucky enough to know her, then Im sure you understand what I mean. This world needs more people like her. Aunt Henrietta, as a parent I cant imagine what youre going through. The loss of a child is unbearable at the best. I pray God comforts you in this time of grief and know that my family and I offer you our condolences and our prayers.
Donna was an amazing lady! I was blessed to have known her. She always had a smile and made people who came in contact with her smile as well. She had a heart the size of Texas! She never met a stranger and never judged anyone. She was loved and will be missed. Heaven needed another angel. She will always be beautiful! Love you, Cousin!
Aunt Bell, Denise, & Darell ~ I cant imagine the void youre feeling right now. Ive been praying for you all every day. Donna was a very special person and the BEST Godmother I could have ever hoped for! Ive yet to meet another person whose spirit is as beautiful as hers was. She had a true Abel spirit of giving, an infectious laugh, and most definitely lived life to the fullest no matter her circumstances! God bless her for whats shes been through. I know without question, though, shes not hurting anymore and is living the life the way we were all meant to live; no more hurt, sorrow, or pain. She is a beautiful Angel now who was met by our Lord and Savior and welcomed by all her loved ones whove gone before her. One day I know Ill see her again, hear her beautiful laughter, and give her a great big hug and remind her of how much shes loved!! God bless you all always! I love you Donna and miss you terribly…..Thank you for all you did!!
My thoughts go back sometime, to times we all had together; the joy, smiles and fun Donna brought to the gatherings. She knew how to enjoy life her way and we all joined in. I feel honored to have known her and spent time with her. She was a good lady and I am sure she will be missed by many. I’m sure in her journey to her new home above, she is saying “Let the good times roll”. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time of grief.
Donna, you will be greatly missed. There are so many memories of my childhood that include you in them. I thank you from the bottom of my soul for taking Tracee & Me to our first concert. That is one memory I love to tell because it was special. I LOVE concerts so with your coolness, great laugh & personality we enjoyed ourselves. I will miss your laugh but most of all I’ll miss your genuineness & the ability to stay “you.” Something I like to pride myself in so I must have learned from the best. I used to think Tracee was super lucky to have you as a Godmother & then I was blessed to have Denise & Gary be my Godparents. So at least my dad was smart & made good choices for us. May you find eternal peace in Heaven & may your glass always be full! ;-) I love you Donna Gail! Give my grandpa a hug for me. I hope y’all are sitting around laughing & drinking just the way I remember it from my childhood. Allison
Only knew her for a short time but she was a hoot! Who else would suggest that we make possum stew when a critter wondered into the wrong space the night before. She will be greatly missed. Her struggles are over and we will meet again.
My goodness-gonna miss that laugh! Proud to call her my cousin & momma’s niece. She was such a hoot. We were Donna & Diane, then Denise & me, then Darryl & Martin. Remember Mardi Gras! I’m sorry we can’t be with ya’ll this weekend and send ya’ll our hugs & kisses and all our love. Donna, you keep your daddy, our daddy, & Uncle Jack in line up there-or if I know you you’ll be right in the middle with them! Love you honey….
In our early teen years, Donna was the first friendly face I met as a newcomer to a new highschool. She and her family welcomed me to their home and I still hold many fun memories of some of my very first dance hall experiances, rodeo parade, and other “teenage” events made special because with Donna, they were fun. Although we lost track after school, I never pass by her old neighborhood that I didn’t smile about those memories. Thank you for being a great friend. My prayers for your family as I’m certain you are missed. May you rest in God’s loving arms.
Donna Gail I love you very much! I will miss you so. You gave this the fight of your life. I will always cherish our childhood memories until we meet again. You were the oldest and always protective of your sister and brother. It is going to be hard to carry on without you but I know you went the way you wanted too, and peacefully. Mother and Darryl will miss your laughing, and witty sense of humor. You lived life to the fullest and I will always remember the good times instead of your hard times. I would not have had any other sister in this world. You were the best! You were about family and friends and worked very hard all of your life. You were unique in a lot of special ways. This is hard, but this shall pass. I LOVE YOU SIS! And you will always be my sister no matter what. I am still in shock you think you are ready for this type thing but you never are. Sis,I know you are with God and free of the pain and this is a great consolation and comfort to me after you left us, and I knew you were close to God so this, brought me peace as well. Thank You Jack and Carol Hardy for bringing Aunt Jo to see her off. Your caring and loving support in being with us was a blessing!
Dear Aunt Belle, Denise and Darrell. This is hard. I am so sorry that Donna no longer walks among the living. If I could take your pain, even for a minute, I would. If your’re luckly, you meet people along your life’s journey that make you special. They become part of your life. They help raise your children. You go on trips together. You cry, you laugh. You make plans. You lose track of each other. Donna always made our family feel special. There was a time when she came over every day. She loved my kids. She loved us. I have so many memories. I loved her. Unselfish she was.
i am sorry for your loss.i knew donna way back over 30 years ago when she was a bartender.great person, great personality. been trying to find her for yars. sorry to see i am too late.thought of her many times over the years.she will be missed.