Leta Frances Hobbs Donkle

Leta Frances Hobbs Donkle January 13, 1914 - October 30, 2010 Leta Donkle passed away peacefully on October 30, 2010 in her home in Long Beach, CA, at the age of 96. She was predeceased by her husband, Royce Donkle, her brother, Dwight Hobbs and two of her sisters, Verna Henley and Janice Ross. Leta is survived by her sister, Bernice Bolling of Midwest City, OK, sister, Lauree Gill of Del City, OK, sister-in-law, Bessie Hobbs of San Marcos, TX; as well as 14 nieces and nephews; and many grandnieces and grandnephews. Leta was born in Drew County, Arkansas, and grew up in Florence and Monticello, AR. She graduated from Monticello High and then attended Arkansas A&M for three years before going to work for Monticello Truck Lines and then Kimble and Gordon Motor Freight Lines in 1938. In 1941, she and a friend moved to California where Leta went to work for Railway Express. In 1943, she became a chemist for the Shell Oil Co. There she met Royce Donkle, and they were married on February 29, 1948. Leta and Royce lived in Long Beach for the rest of their lives, except for a couple of years in Houston, Texas, still working for Shell. Later Leta left Shell and went to work for Wood-Callahan Oil Co., first as a secretary but later as an accountant and administrative assistant to Mr. Wood. She continued in that position until her retirement. Leta was a charter member of the Long Beach chapter of Desk and Derrick, an organization dedicated to the promotion of the education and professional development of individuals employed in or affiliated with the petroleum, energy and allied industries. She held several offices in that organization through the years. For many years she wrote a column for the chapter newsletter. Leta was a great lady, and will be greatly missed by family and her many friends. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, November 3 at 10:00 a.m. at California Heights United Methodist Church in Long Beach. Burial will be in Monticello, Arkansas. In lieu flowers, the family requests donations to the Salvation Army or the American Cancer Society.