Gail Ann (King) Donaldson—mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, friend, and talented educator—passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2020. She was 64 years old.

Gail was born on November 30, 1955 in Topeka, Kansas to proud parents Bill and Nila King. She was the third sibling of five and loved each of them dearly and uniquely.

From an early age, she was an avid reader, often immersing herself into multiple books at one time. She enjoyed sports, playing basketball in high school and softball, flag football, and bowling as a young adult. She was incredibly intelligent, graduating as the salutatorian at Pottsboro High School and later receiving a Bachelor’s in Education from Eastern New Mexico University, achieving the honor Summa Cum Laude. Prior to becoming the compassionate teacher we all remember her to be, she worked hard for her family as one of the first female pipeline operators at Navajo Refinery in Artesia and ran a small home cleaning business.

Gail, or “Mrs. D” as her students so lovingly called her, was a brilliant High School English and Journalism teacher who genuinely cared for her students. She left a lasting impression on many students in different high schools from Artesia, Roswell, and Albuquerque, New Mexico all the way to Dallas and Hamshire, Texas. While she loved to be in the classroom teaching her students to write with gusto, she could also often be found at local sporting events with a camera around her neck capturing photographs for the school newspaper.

Gail was passionate about empowering, educating, and advocating for others, especially those in need. She was a foster parent, an engaging conversationalist, an empath, a gypsy soul, an animal lover, and above all else, she was a loving mom and grandma. She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Gail is survived by her mother, Nila King; her siblings, Lora Parker, Patty Burton, Pamela King, and Brad King; her children, Dusty Simmons and Katy Kimbro; and her grandchildren, August Simmons and Jude Kimbro. She is predeceased by her father, Bill King, maternal and paternal grandparents, and nephew, Jacob Cordova.