Donis Ashworth, age 92 passed away in her home in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla. on Thursday August 17th, 2023.
Donis was born on September 12, 1930 and was the eldest daughter of Delmer and Elvira Drake in Hennessey, Oklahoma. She had a younger sister Marilyn McBride who resides in Bartlesville with her husband Don.
Donis grew up in Fairfax, Oklahoma where her parents owned Drake’s Five & Dime Dollar and Up Store, which was an institution in Fairfax for decades. Donis described her life there as “growing up behind the candy case”. She graduated from Fairfax High School in 1948 and went on to attend Oklahoma State University. While attending OSU she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority and the Owl mascot of that sorority could be seen on display throughout her home.
Her home town of Fairfax is also the setting for the major motion picture “Killers of the Flower Moon” set for release in Oct. 2023.
Donis was married to Rev. Fred W. Ashworth and together they presided over several Presbyterian Churches in Oklahoma and Florida including the Presbyterian Church in Howey-in-the-Hills.
Donis loved traveling, her large group of friends in Howey, dogs and her family. She also loved to exercise and was a certified “gym rat”. But when she went to her gym in Mt. Dora her favorite exercise was socializing with her multitude of friends.
Donis is survived by her only son Mark Ashworth, his wife Peggy and their daughter Jamie all of Austin, Texas. She is also survived by her sister Marilyn McBride, her husband Don of Bartlesville, Oklahoma as well as their son Michael and daughter Suzanne.
Donis had a genuine zest for living and was blessed with a long and meaningful life.
Donis and her family would like to extend a special recognition and thanks to Maria Gonzales, Homewell Health Care and Vitas Hospice Services.
A Memorial Service will be held for Donis at the Howey Community Church in Howey- in-the-Hills, Fla. sometime in September 2023.
