Donna Lee (Sweet) Barden

Donna Lee Sweet was born March 3, 1934, in Springfield Illinois to Harry Dean Sweet and Georgia Stewart. She passed away July 3, 2021, in Bethany, Oklahoma.

Donna’s biological mother passed away when she was just 3 days old. Her Aunt Addie helped raise her until her father remarried 3 years later, to Robbie Sweet, becoming her stepmother who helped raise her with Harry until her own passing. Donna shared her family with brother, Dean, and sister Dorothy.

As a young girl, she loved to ride horses, draw them, and attend horse shows with her dad. At age 11-13 she showed horses in the English Pleasure Class for owner Mr. Manning who had stables at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

In 1953, Donna married Donald Gene Barden, to this union seven children were born: Connie Sue, Gary Lee, Cheryl Ann, Nancy Lynn, Gregory Stewart, David Gene, and Steven Eric. As a devoted mother and caretaker, Donna would take her children to church every week, training them to share her fear and admonition of the Lord. The love of God was evident in her obedience and attendance, choosing to go with or without her husband Don because working many days, left Don out of church more often than she wanted.  She also loved spending time with both sides of her family in Springfield, Illinois.

After divorcing Don in 1967, she later married LaRue Milne. A perfect match for her, as he too shared her love of the Lord. They attended church regularly with all the children making the home a happy one. In 1970 LaRue moved the family to Oklahoma City and worked at Tinker Air Force Base painting airplanes. Making their home in Piedmont, he made sure that his wife Donna was blessed with an acreage and plenty of room for her passion of horses. For 5 wonderful years she would have her children and grandchildren over to ride her horses and enjoy the hobby she always loved. In time, Donna had to sell her horses and pursue a less active hobby of painting horses. She hand-painted many wall hangings with Scriptures on them. She grew into a talented artist and enjoyed time growing plants and flowers of all kinds and studying her Bible.

Donna leaves to cherish her memories her seven children, 24 grandchildren and 33 great children and a host of other family and friends.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Harry Dean and Georgia Sweet; stepmother, Robbie Sweet; siblings, Dean and Dorothy; her children, Connie, Gary, Cheryl, Nancy, Gregory, David, and Steven; grandson, Anthony Barden and husband’s, Donald Barden and LaRue Milne.

Funeral services will ne held on Thursday, July 8, 2021 at 1:00 PM at Discovery Church in Yukon with Pastor Kevin Fouts officiating.

Graveside services will be on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 10:30 AM at Roselawn Memorial Park in Springfield, IL.

Services are under the direction of OK Cremation & Funeral Home, Oklahoma City.