Donna K. Robert

Donna Kay Robert was born on the anniversary of the same date as the “Day” that they say, “will live into infamy,” December the 7th, 1950. But she was not like the Atom Bomb, but more like “The Blue Bomb,” a book published by Jehovah’s Witnesses called “The Truth that leads to Eternal Life.” Its contents helped millions to come to understand the Bible. She used her life trying to do the same, as we will see.

She was born in Opelousas, Louisiana of St. Landry Parish to Noah and Helen Rivette Robert. Her early life was filled with joy and happiness from her family of four older siblings. At that time, the entire family had a joint enterprise of running a restaurant called Robert’s Little Kitchen, in downtown Opelousas. She started school at J. S. Clark Elementary and finished by graduating from OHS, Opelousas High School in 1970.

More importantly, at the encouragement of her older sister Martha Rose, at 8 years old she and her mother, more affectionally known as “MaMa Helen,” began studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses out of the book “From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained.” This led to her baptism as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on April 29, 1967.

At that time, because of segregation, there was not a congregation to attend in the immediate area. She had to travel 19 miles to Ville Platte, Louisiana to attend meetings.  Not owning a car or any available public transportation, often this was done by riding in the back of a hay-filled truck so that more could travel with a degree of comfort to and from the meetings. From her courageous witnessing in school to teachers and students alike, she set her mind to become a Regular Pioneer (a person who arranges their affairs to spend, at that time, 100 hours a month in the preaching and teaching work done by Jehovah’s Witnesses.) She had been influenced by the many faithful anointed, special, and regular pioneers that worked in the area. Therefore, right after graduating from high school she began Regular Pioneering. As other pioneers accepted new assignments,  she realized her assignment in St. Landry Parish was increasing. A letter was sent to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society Branch Office asking for help, just as Jesus said in Matthew 9:38 to “…beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.” The Branch sent three single sisters from the  north to help in the harvest work in her area. They became lifelong friends.

Donna Kay was a pioneer from the old days in the backwoods of Louisiana. At times she would exchange literature for provisions (eggs, can goods, etc.) because there was not a lot of money around. There was a language barrier and a high rate of illiteracy which required lots of extra effort to teach the good news, yet there was a lot of love for the Bible and the truth among the good-hearted people of that area. Jehovah blessed their hard work. Many people responded favorably. Due to segregation laws, Donna and her mother were the only black Jehovah’s Witnesses who lived in the entire Parish or County. So, when sending in special pioneers and later Circuit Overseers, the Robert’s home was the depot for literature and mail from the Branch.  Prominent brothers stayed at their house or came for baths and rest when coming from the swamp. Among them were Stanley Boggus, J. C. Howard, William Nichols, Leroy Jones (brother of Roscoe Jones), and Samuel Herd along with their wives. Donna Kay fondly talked about helping Sister Herd wash her hair and helping these friends in very practical ways on their assignments. On one of her many trips to Bethel, Brother Herd took her and her group up to the Governing Body Conference Room. The sister giving the tour said she had been at Bethel over 20 years and had never seen that room in the 25 Columbia Heights Building.

Later in the seventies, she and her mother moved to San Antonio, Texas to help family members. Donna continued her zealous “Pioneer Life” associating with the Denver Heights Congregation, and later with the Coliseum and Houston Terrace Congregations. She obtained secular work at the famous department store Joske’s of Texas. When Joske’s closed, she joined the staff at the San Antonio Independent School District as a Teacher’s Assistant in the Special Education Department. While there, she formed a group called “Donna’s Golden Doves” as she helped these students perform special tasks. During all this time she still displayed the “Pioneer Spirit.” Many have commented on how Donna helped them in their ministry, recalling evenings, nights, even summers they spent out in the preaching work. She had a great love for her immediate and extended family, spending time with them, occasionally taking them to a Spurs or Silver Spurs game, the Stock Show and Rodeo, and buying gifts or unusual trinkets that were just what was needed. She would meet and greet with the best of them, always busy, always having somewhere to go, meeting new life-long friends from all parts of the world. Of special note is her love for her special needs niece DeeDee. She would not make a move without worrying about DeeDee and cared for her right up to the end. She was self-sacrificing and chose to never marry so that she could give more of herself to her family and to have a greater share in the preaching and teaching work of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She was a lady of style and grace and enjoyed dressing up and having fun.

Donna Kay was preceded in death by her parents: Noah and Helen Rivette Roberts, and two brothers Noah James (Olga), and Roland Ray. She is survived by her sister Martha Rose Williams, and her last brother Lonnie Lee Robert. She leaves the following nephews and nieces: Johnie Williams Jr. (Donna) and two daughters; Deduri Alexis “DeeDee” Williams; Eric Lynn Robert (Niecola) and two daughters, one son; Camile Smith (Allen) and one daughter (one son deceased); Catina N. McDaniel and four daughters, three sons; Hollie Wallace (Willie IV) and four daughters, one son.  She is loved by many more cousins, relatives, friends, neighbors and countless Christian brothers and sisters.