Donald and Lenora Tawney
3 MIN. READ
Rev. Donald Ray Tawney BTh ’56, and Lenora Faye Lewis Tawney BS ’54, are now celebrating in heaven together with their Lord and Savior after their passing in the year 2020. Donald passed away peacefully on May 12, at age 87, and Lenora on December 9, age 87, at their home surrounded by family in Fishers, Indiana.
For over 50 years, Don served as pastor in the Church of God, and Lenora served as an elementary school teacher. They faithfully ministered side by side in their almost 66 years of marriage. Don and Lenora led with humility and a steadfast faith.
In his youth, Don received his call to the ministry, and in following that call left his birthplace and boyhood home of South Charleston, West Virginia, to attend Anderson College where he met Lenora, who was from East Prairie, Missouri. Don and Lenora announced their engagement on December 12, 1953, at their Christmas formal held at the Kopper Kettle in Morristown, Indiana. According to Lenora, they were married on “the hottest day of the year,” June 28, 1954, in East Prairie, Missouri, and the wedding was officiated by Rev. Hillery C. Rice.
Don’s calling to the ministry took the family to Missouri, Illinois, Alabama, Indiana, and Maryland. His ministry was an offering given in humility, servanthood, and edification. Just like his Lord, Don came not to be served, but to serve, and he served not only by his conviction, steadfastness, and patience, but by his words and acts of encouragement.
In his youth and even well into his adulthood, Don was an excellent athlete as a former southpaw pitching ace, an old-style two-handed basketball sharpshooter, a steady and calm golfer, and a fearsome opponent across the ping pong table. He was also a carpenter, mechanic, and an artist.
Lenora blessed family and friends with her kindness and giving of self during her growing-up years in East Prairie and Sikeston. Although Lenora served for over 50 years as a schoolteacher, she cherished and prized her true stewardship to love as God loves each one of us. In quiet moments with her children, in a smile at the dinner table, in her singing at home and at church, and in many more of the moments God gives to each of us, she lived that love for all.
Lenora embraced servanthood, loving as Christ loved, caring, listening, rejoicing, praying, and magnifying the good. In her presence, God’s true nature was shown with warmth and unconditional acceptance. Lenora joyfully shared her many gifts through her love of writing, singing, teaching, and the songs she had written.
If Don and Lenora’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were asked to paint on a canvas what Don and Lenora meant to them, there would be tears, deep thoughtfulness, and beautiful colors. When they were done, the painting would be nothing less than a deep flowing love for Don and Lenora, our mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, great-grandma and great-grandpa.
Don and Lenora will be dearly missed by their children, Donna (Duane BA ’82) Hammel BA ’79, Donald Tawney, Jr. BA ’80, Leigh Ann Utter ’83, Brian (Jackie) Tawney ’85; grandchildren, Derek BA ’08, Evan, Joseph, J.B., Jordan, Megan ’12, Emmaleigh, Brian, Benjamin, Tiffany, Keirsten, Kaleb, Kage; and great-grandchildren, Braydon, Sophia, Amelia, Samantha, AnaLeigh, Aubreigh, and Lillyana.
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Anderson University educates students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 50 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 18 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult, graduate, and online programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized for excellence in business, computer science, cybersecurity, engineering, music, nursing, psychology, and teacher education programs. Established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God, the university remains committed to its Christ-centered mission.