Donna Renee Pape

With hearts full of love and sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved Donna Renee Pape, who went home to be with the Lord on August 21, 2025, at the age of 64. Born on February 27, 1961, in Altus, Oklahoma, Donna was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. To know Donna was to know a soul overflowing with love, laughter, and compassion.
Donna was the treasured daughter of Benjamin Doyle Dean and Fredia Ann Dean, who now welcome her in Heaven. She is also reunited with her husband and best friend, Dennis Pape, and her sweet grandson, Joseph Douglas. Though our hearts ache from these losses, Donna's spirit continues to shine brightly as a beacon of love and strength for her family.
In 1993, Donna married Dennis in Humble, Texas, beginning a beautiful journey together filled with joy, laughter, and unconditional love. As a mother, she poured her heart into raising her daughter, Heather Douglas, with unwavering devotion. Her role as "Nana" became one of her greatest joys-she adored her grandchildren, Reann, Josephine, Joann, and Benjamin Douglas, and delighted in the gift of her great-granddaughter, little Mylani Shirley. Her family was the center of her world, and her love for them was boundless.
Donna's caring heart extended far beyond her home. After earning her Medical Assistant certification at Lone Star College, she found her calling working with children through YPS Transportation. First as a bus aide and later as a bus driver, she had an extraordinary gift for making each child feel safe, seen, and loved. She had a way of brightening even the hardest days with her kindness and laughter.
Her sister, Dianna Cotner, along with countless family and friends, will carry Donna's memory in their hearts forever. To all who knew her, Donna was more than a loved one-she was a source of comfort, encouragement, and joy.
As we say goodbye, we celebrate the love Donna gave so freely, the warmth she shared so generously, and the countless ways she made life brighter for everyone around her. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, and in the love she planted that will continue to grow for generations to come.