Obituary of Donnabelle June Fox

Donnabelle “Donna” J. (Sammons) Fox, 85, of Dowagiac, passed away on Sunday, June 3, 2018 at her home with her loving family by her side.

She was born to the late Alby H. and Olive L (Horner) Sammons in Dowagiac on April 15, 1933.

Donna graduated from Dowagiac Central High School with the class of 1951. She married Jimmie E. Fox on March 16, 1952. Donna enjoyed being a homemaker and raising her children. While her children were still young she felt her calling to become a teacher, she attended Western Michigan University where she received her BA in education.

Donna worked as a teacher for many years at Grace Christian School in Watervliet, Michigan. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends; she was always there for her family, no matter the need. Donna enjoyed tending to the flowers in her garden, embroidering, knitting and sewing keepsakes for her family. She dearly loved her two dogs Ellie Mae and Molly.  Donna was a faithful member of the Berrien Center Bible church where she sang in the choir and was active in several of the ladies groups.

She is preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Judy Sammons and a son, David Fox in August of 1960.

Donna is survived by her husband, Jimmie; sons, Steve (Lori) Fox of Dowagiac; Larry (Jody) Fox of Dowagiac; daughters, Cindy (Bill) Ruminer of Dowagiac and Christie (Daniel) McKenzie of Niles; twelve grandchildren, Andrea (Doug) Ausra, Jason (Mandy) Fox, Nicole (Mark) Teton, Andrea (Matt) Katich, Abby Alsop, Brandy (Michael) Nichols, Lindsey (Joshawa Carpenter) Taylor, Brad Ruminer, Benjamin McKenzie, Hannah McKenzie, Rachel McKenzie and Philip McKenzie; fourteen great-grandchildren; sister, Alleta (Gordon) Lang of Dowagiac; several nieces, nephews and numerous friends.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 28, 2018 at 6:00p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Niles with a time of visitation beginning at 4:00p.m. A private interment will be held Mission Hills Memorial Gardens in Niles at a later date.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Donna’s memory may do so to Cass County COA,  60525 Decatur Rd. Cassopolis,  Michigan 49031.