Donna Jo Gifford

January 3, 1958 - November 25, 2019

Donna Jo Gifford passed from this life on November 25, 2019 in Clinton, Oklahoma at age 61. She was born on January 3, 1958 in Prague, Oklahoma to Carol Wayne Elkins and Eleanor Josephine (Porter) Elkins. Donna grew up and went to school Lone Wolf, Maud and graduated from Sentinel, was a lifeguard and cheerleader and after graduation she began a lifelong career of learning and research. Donna loved knowledge. She was an advocate for schools, nursing homes and veteran’s centers. She & Darrin were CDL class A double triple Team Roping winner, longtime member of the USTR and Coors Professional Roping Association, she farmed, ranched, trained and broke horses. She was a medical technologist, member of the MTAMT National Registry, raced cars, (she thought she was good at that) and flown privately with an instructor. However, the most important thing to Donna was having the privileged to be brought up in a Christian home that gave her lifelong values and many friends that became family. Donna is survived by her daughter Bridgette Gifford of Antlers, Oklahoma, three brothers: Rex Elkins and wife Karen of Henryetta, Ricky Elkins and wife Kae of Sentinel and Allen Elkins of Clinton and sister Kenna Beth Koster. She leaves a legacy of four grandchildren: Keelie, Kayden, Austin Jay and Larry Joe, along with nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Donna was preceded in death by her parents; Carol and Eleanor Elkins, husband Darrin Keith Payne, nephews Ryan Elkins and Kyle Rex Elkins. Memorial Services for Donna are scheduled for Thursday, 2:00 P.M., January 23, 2020 at Peoples Cooperative Funeral Home Chapel, located at 1400 West Main, Lone Wolf, Oklahoma 73655 580-846-9018, On-line condolences can be made for Donna Jo by visiting www.peoplescooperativefuneralhome.com