Donalee "Don" Dobyns

On September 23, 2025, Rev. Donalee David Dobyns answered his final call on the Feast of Trumpets, as Heaven itself sounded the trumpet for him, not as a farewell, but as a welcome!

He was born October 14, 1932 in Hilton, Oklahoma to David Fletcher and Bertha Mae Watts Dobyns, who later settled their farming family in west Texas.

A boy born in Oklahoma, raised in West Texas, stepped out by faith; when he heard God speaking while praying in the woods of Prescott, Arizona. He felt led to go across the ocean to the Islands of the sea. There he became a missionary spreading the truth of God's word to the Samoan Islands, Kingdom of Tonga, and the Fijian Islands. Due to his willingness to follow God's leading and walking by faith; the reward of his work has culminated in more than 1% of the population of these countries walking in the truth of the Lord Jesus. He started and cultivated many congregations from the US to around the world, forever changing hearts and lives. His 92 years were marked by unwavering faith, gentle wisdom, and a love that stretched across generations. Bro. Dobyns taught us to listen for God's voice, to treasure His Word, and to wait for The Lord's return with joy!

Bro. Dobyns lived a rich vibrant life as a great spiritual leader and inspiration in every role he lived. He was a faithful servant of God, a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. To his daughters (who were the world to him) he was kind, gentle, and demonstrated his faith through his role as a Daddy. He took time to answer life's questions and encouraged them to excel in whatever they did. He delighted in their talents and used every opportunity to broaden his family's horizons. He was a tried-and-true Godly leader wherever he was, with his family as well as others.

Bro. Dobyns was preceded in death by his parents and ten of his twelve brothers and sisters. He is survived by two of his siblings, Eugene Dobyns of Topeka, Kansas, and Betty Thiessen of Salem, Oregon. Honoring his memory are his loving daughters Ladona (Greg) Claiborne, Deborah (Wilburn) Neyland, Phebe Joanna (Alfred) Whiteside, Marsha (Marty) Montey, Patti Ruthstrom, 11 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Though our hearts are heavy, we take comfort knowing he is where his heart longed to be, in the presence of his Lord, with our dear mother; the love of his life, hearing not only the echo of the trumpet, but the very voice of the One who calls us all home.

Until the Trumpet Sounds Again...
We will miss you dearly.
We will honor your legacy.
We will see you again.

Visitation for Bro. Dobyns will be held at New Life Austin on Friday, October 3, 2025, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. The funeral service will be Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 1:00 pm.

Interment will be at Live Oak Cemetery, in Manchaca, Texas. All services are overseen by the trusted care of Ramsey Funeral Home.