Dona Sue Todd

Dona Sue Todd, born Dona Sue Bass on May 22, 1940, in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, to Battie and Lena (McCarty) Bass, passed away on March 6, 2026. Raised in the Pernell area, she graduated from Pernell High School in 1958. Her childhood was spent surrounded by animals on the family property and cherished friendships formed in the simple rhythms of country life. She played clarinet in the school band and sang in a vocal quartet.

Dona was a hardworking and devoted woman who raised her children while helping run the Skelly Station in Velma in the early 1970s. In 1974, the family purchased a small farm and returned to Pernell, where they bought the local grocery store. It was there that their third child, Shonda, was born. Dona later began a long career with the United States Postal Service, first as a clerk in Pernell and then as Postmaster in Bradley until her retirement.

On April 22, 2012, she married Will “Roger” Todd at Porter Hill Church of Christ. Her faith was the steady foundation of her life. A faithful member of the Church of Christ in Pernell, Lindsay, Duncan, Porter Hill, Mangum, and later Clarendon, Texas, she rarely missed a service. She taught Sunday school for many years and quietly encouraged those around her to work hard, pray often, and remain faithful.

Dona found her greatest joy in her family. She cherished time spent with her grandchildren, loved sewing, painting, and every kind of craft, and was known for her cooking, especially her Hello Dolly dessert, poppy seed casserole, turkey dressing, and chocolate cake. She will be remembered for her kindness, strong work ethic, deep faith, and the love she poured into her children, grandchildren, church family, and friends.

She is survived by her husband, Will “Roger” Todd; daughters Sheila Munchel and husband Kevin of Elgin, Oklahoma, and Shonda Mathis and husband Brian of Pernell, Oklahoma; step-children James Todd and wife Brilla, and Lynn Todd Thompson and husband William; brother Lendell Bass and wife Rebecca of Edmond, Oklahoma; sisters Helen Sims of Hydro, Oklahoma, and Jana Bass of Jay, Oklahoma; numerous grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; and bonus nephews Mickey Mercer and wife Jacklyn, and Danny Mercer and wife Sheila. She was preceded in death by her son, Nathan Wayne Mercer; parents Battie and Lena Bass; brother-in-law Don Sims; and three grandsons, Cody, Brock, and Dakota.