Donna Faye Gerling

Donna Faye Gerling, age 70, passed away on April 26, 2018. She was born on January 5, 1948 in Long Beach, California to Raymond and Muriel Mitchell, a twin and the youngest of nine children. She grew up in Carson, California, loved to play tetherball and had a Cocker Spaniel named Mickey. She graduated from Banning High School in Long Beach. On August 7, 1982, she married Jim Gerling and on January 12, 1984 she gave birth to their daughter, Heather Gerling. She began a long career with McDonnell Douglas as a contract hire. After becoming a permanent employee, her job was to release blueprints used for building aircraft. She retired from Boeing on June 25, 1999, after they acquired McDonnell Douglas. They moved to Conroe on April 13, 2012, where she became an active member of Mims Baptist Church. She loved listening to country and Gaither Gospel Music, her favorite song being “I can Only Imagine.” Her favorite country artist was George Strait. She was an avid shopper and always looked forward to her Friday date nights with her husband. Donna also enjoyed crocheting and baking for family and friends and was famous for her chocolate chip cookies.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Carl, her twin Donald Raye, and Tommy; sisters, Ida Jackson, Lorene Morton and Cleta Hendrickson; brothers-in-law, Roy Hendrickson, Bob Jackson, John Morton and Steve Gerling; niece, Elizabeth Oldfield; nephew, Jeremy Stringer; and great nephew, Timothy Oldfield. She is survived by her husband, Jim Gerling; daughter, Heather Gerling; sister, Beverly Ballinger; and brother, Glenn Mitchell.

A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at Mims Baptist Church, 1609 Porter Road, Conroe, Texas 77301 with graveside services and interment to follow in Conroe Memorial Park.