It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Donna Louise Metcalf, who left us on March 5, 2026, at the age of 76, while staying with her daughter in Glencoe, Oklahoma. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 9, 2026 at the Church of Christ in Stillwater. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.

Donna was born on November 23, 1949 to Ruth and Samuel Wilks in Weatherford, Oklahoma. She attended several high schools before graduating from Weatherford High School. She later earned both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and obtained her teaching certification.

She became a mother in 1968 with the birth of her first, Cary Allan. Two years later, in 1970, she welcomed her daughter, Andria Marie. On March 13, 1980, she married Wayne Kent Metcalf, and the two shared 34 wonderful years together. In 1986, she welcomed her first granddaughter, beginning a role she cherished deeply.

She was a beloved spouse, mother, and grandmother who touched the lives of many with her warmth, kindness, and the grandiose stories of adventure she loved to share from throughout her life. Known affectionately as "Grandma Donna" to all, she was cherished for her unwavering love and support for those she held dear.

She began her career in education in 1972, teaching business education at Western Technology Center in Burns Flat. In 1978, she joined the Oklahoma Department of CareerTech, where she dedicated 32 years of service. During her tenure, she served in numerous roles including assistant to the state director, curriculum specialist, assistant state coordinator for adult education, human resources coordinator, business and industry services coordinator, dropout recovery program coordinator, Skills Centers student services coordinator, and field services coordinator.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions, she was awarded the Arch Alexander Award of Excellence in 2011. In 2012, she joined Kiamichi Technology Center as an organizational and instructional development coordinator, where she continued to impact students and educators alike. She was honored with the ACTE Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.

She retired from the Oklahoma Department of CareerTech in 2020 after a remarkable 48-year career in career and technical education. In recognition of her lifelong dedication and service, she will be inducted into the Oklahoma CareerTech Hall of Fame in November 2026.

Donna loved her upbringing on the Wilks family farm in Weatherford, where she farmed and rode horses. She continued that tradition with her children through trail rides, 4H, and FFA. Her dream was to maintain the land as the family legacy for generations to come. In her free time, she loved to garden, sew, fish, and play games. She spent her weekends traveling across the state to attend sporting events, dance recitals, and livestock shows for her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren. She adored a large Thanksgiving family gathering that doubled as her birthday celebration. She was devoted to her faith and supporting the Stillwater Church of Christ. She spent her retirement years on Lake Eufaula gardening and fishing.

Donna is preceded in death by her husband, Kent Metcalf, as well as her parents, Ruth and Samuel Wilks, son, Kerry Metcalf and great-granddaughter, Taylor Greenfield.

Donna is survived by her son Cary Carman and wife, Misty; daughters Andria Henderson and husband Larry, Kenna Cataudella and husband, Steve; daughter-in-law Deanna Metcalf; grandchildren, Tiffanie Greenfield and husband, Jesse, Samantha Carman, Amy Buttram, Austin Cataudella and wife, Mattie, Chase Carman and wife, Tiffany, Mason Carman and fiancé, Kyra, Madison Carman, Jacob Henderson, Brooks Cataudella and wife, Kylee, Tristan Metcalf and wife, Cheyenne, and Ian Jones; great-grandchildren Adeline and Brentley Greenfield, Cary Carman, Alysia and Alexa Flores, Camille Jones, Henry and Ava Cataudella, Hollynn and Isaac Metcalf; brother, Andy Wilks and wife, Joy; niece, Rachel Wilks. and brother-in-law, Dr. J Dan Metcalf, who will cherish her memory and continue her legacy.

To honor Donna Louise Metcalf's memory and her lifetime commitment to CareerTech, the family kindly requests that, in lieu of customary remembrances, donations be made to the CareerTech Foundation https://form.jotform.com/243504525280148.

Donna's family wishes to thank the medical team at Rural Wellness Fairfax, Stillwater Medical at Home hospice palliative care, and her caregiver, Kayla Burks-Jdiobe, at Cornerstone Caregiving for the support and care they provided to her.