DONA BROOKS FERRELL, age 93, a resident of Charleston, died at 11:30 p.m. Thursday, July 23, 2009 at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.

She was born on December 21, 1915 in Diehlstadt to the late William Samuel and Louise Colley Brooks. She was a 64 year member of the First Assembly of God Church in Charleston where she taught Sunday school for over 35 years and was active in the Women's Missionary Group serving in various leadership positions. She was a troop leader for Brownie Scouts and Girl Scouts, a member of the Charleston Athena Club, and the Charleston Art Guild. In the early 1970's she owned and operated the Merle Norman Studio in Charleston.
Mrs. Ferrell enjoyed flower gardening and oil painting.

On June 8, 1935 in Charleston she married Delmar Hughes Ferrell who preceded her in death on June 5, 1990.

Surviving are one son and daughter in law, Fred and Marilyn Ferrell of Charleston; two daughters, Marjorie Ann Jones of Sikeston and Pamela Ferrell of Charleston; one sister, Pauline B (Howard) Welches of Piedmont; three grandchildren, Lee Ann (Bill) Nace of Sikeston, Britton Hughes (Anna) Ferrell of Charleston, and Brooks (Jonathan) Yoviene of Kirkwood; six great grandchildren, Caroline Brooks Nace of Sikeston, Will and Elise Ferrell of Charleston, Anna Riley, Ferrell and Laurel Yoviene of Kirkwood.

She was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Elizabeth Stone and Leona B. Hicks, and one son in law, Vernon Lee "Bud" Jones.

Friends may call after 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Sunday, July 26, 2009, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston where a Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 27, 2009, with Rev. Gerald Penn, pastor of the First Assembly of God Church in Charleston, and Rev. Jim Malugen, pastor of the First Christian Church in Charleston, officiating.

Interment will follow in the IOOF Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Britton Ferrell, Jonathan Yoviene, J. Ferrell Elliott, Bill Nace, Gary Rhodes, Harry Ferrell, and Charlie Clark Sr.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Dennis Ferrell, Glenn Ferrell, Buzz Ferrell, Jerry Whittington, Elott Raffety, Hunter Rolwing, Dan Joslyn, Governor Warren E. Hearnes, Bob Graham, Joe Forrest, David Leo Elliott, Larry H. Ferrell, David A. Ferrell, Bill DeLine, Bill Owens, E. Paul Jackson, and Harvie Jackson.

Memorial Contributions may be made to:

First Assembly of God Church
608 S. Main Street
Charleston, Missouri 63834

Or

Charleston Nutrition Center
205 W. Commercial
Charleston, Missouri 63834

Online condolences may be sent to www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com