Ladonna Nunneley

Mrs. LaDonna Sue Hicks Nunneley , 81, of rural Caney, Kansas, returned to her heavenly father March, 12, 2021 after a valiant battle with a brain aneurysm. Her devotion to her family and a firm belief in God supported her in her struggle and ultimately gave her peace,

LaDonna was born on February 13, 1940 to the late Orvil and Evelyn Powers Hicks, an avid antique collector, and a 4-H leader and homemaker respectively in Coffeyville, Kansas February 13, 1940. She attended Pleasant View grade school north of Wann, Oklahoma. She was raised south of Tyro, Kansas in the Canary Oil fields, across the state line in Oklahoma. Her family moved to Tyro Kansas in 1953. She then went on to Caney Valley High School in Caney Kansas, where she was a member of Kayettes ’53-’57, Playmakers 54’-’57, F.B.L.A. 56’-57’, Band, ’54-57’, Drum majorette, Twirler, Class Queen ’55-’56, Class secretary ’56-’57, Football Queen ’56-’57, Chorus ‘56’-'57, Pepperettes ’55 and Student Council ‘56-’57. Track was her favorite sport and she excelled in it, winning all the foot races. She showed pigs and learned to be a seamstress throughout her 4-H career. She graduated from Caney Valley High School in 1957.

After graduation she attended Coffeyville Junior Community College for 6 months, 1957. She met the love of her life John D. Nunneley Sr, west of Tyro in Ortin’s Cellar one night in 1957. Love at first sight and they were wed that fall. November 17, 1957 at the Tyro Christian Church. They eventually made their home at Spring Valley Kansas 4 miles north of Tyro Kansas.

LaDonna was blessed with a large loving family, one girl and 4 boys. Cindy Sue, John Dewey Jr. “DOC”, Jimmy Dean, Joe DeWayne, and Jay Dee.

LaDonna was passionate about her home life and family and when she wasn’t filling her home with love, warmth and kindness, she could be found at Church or traveling across the country with her husband John Sr. buying cattle all over the USA, at a rodeo with Doc & Jimmy. Military graduation, events with Joe and in her last years at a dog show with Cindy. When her son Joe DeWayne age 21 was in a car wreck in 1989 south of Caney she devoted her life to him as he would lay comatose for almost 5 years, during this same time her other son Jay Dee was in a car wreck north of Tyro at age 21 in 1993, becoming a complete Quadriplegic. She gave the next 21 years to Jay Dee endlessly. She never complained or said a bad word about anyone, there wasn't a mean bone in her body, she embraced everyone with love, compassion, understanding, & made you feel right at home. She was the perfect picture of what it means to be a Christian woman. We will miss her immensely but rejoice in the fact that she is at peace with God & her boys.

She was a member of Southview Church of God, South Coffeyville, Oklahoma.

LaDonna is survived by her husband John Sr. of the home, Daughter Cindy, Two sons John Jr. “Doc” & Sharon, Jimmy Dean & Jana, Brother, Charlie and wife Joyce Hicks.

Grandchildren, Joshua David, Joel Davis, Jessica, Jeremiah, Josiah, Benjamin, Simeon, Lydia and Macy Estaline.

Great grandchildren Tenzly Belle and Logan.

LaDonna was predeceased by her parents Orvil & Evelyn Hicks, Her sisters, Kathryn, Delpha, Reba, Ila, the original “Hicks Chicks”. One baby brother at birth Harry Dow Hicks, broke his neck in delivery. Her two sons, Joe and JayDee Nunneley and first-born grandson John D. Nunneley III.

The family requests that all flowers and notes are sent to Potts Funeral Chapel address 107 N. State Ave. Caney, Kansas 67333. A visitation will be held at Potts Chapel in Caney on Wednesday, March 17th with the family greeting friends from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A Celebration of LaDonna’s Life will take place at Potts Chapel in Caney on Thursday, March 18th at 1:00 pm with interment immediately following at Sunnyside Cemetery. To leave the family a special message of condolence, please visit www.pottsfuneralhome.com.