Donna Gail Ruthart

Donna Gail Ruthart (age 72) of Cypress, Texas by way of Amarillo passed away on November 25, 2025, leaving a legacy of family and resilience. Memorial services are scheduled for 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at Brooks Chapel in Canyon with Rev. Steve Olson, pastor of First Baptist Church of Canyon officiating. Born on January 31, 1953, in Canyon, Texas, Donna was lovingly raised by Margaret and Crawford Ruthart, who instilled in her the core value that defined her life: Family. Donna and her sisters, Sharon and Karen lived their adolescent years at 408 Taylor Lane in Canyon. Little did they know it at the time, but this home off of 4th Avenue, memorable for its slight incline, rose bushes, oversized pine trees, brick water well, alleyway, hot winter fireplace, and a basketball goal provided the foundation of “Ruthart love” that still reverberates through the current homes of the nieces, nephews, and cousins who were fortunate enough to experience it.

Like all Rutharts, Donna's passion and life's work was her family. Their well-being, their plans, their health, their relationships and their connections were woven into every aspect of her life from childhood. She was a parent and grandparent who was never too busy and never distracted, sacrificing immensely for those she adored.

As a young girl, Donna faced significant health challenges. While in school, she suffered from a severe spinal condition that required the first surgery of its kind in the United States and an extensive period of immobilization during her high school years. Supported faithfully by her family, she often attended Canyon High School football games in a full body cast. The battle with her spinal condition never truly ceded throughout her life, but from this adversity, she forged her relentless grit and her trademark determination.

Donna was a person of "new beginnings,” a clear optimist. No matter the heartache or unfair circumstances of life, she persevered. Never judgmental, she was a steadfast protector of her family. Never down, never dismissive, and certainly never cynical about her hardships. When she faced setbacks, she overcame them and never wasted time thinking negatively. Whether she was taking her younger cousin to a Cheap Trick rock concert in the 80’s, helping decorate an industrial workshop for her nephew’s junior high dance, helping her sister make homecoming mums, likely attending every Tascosa High School basketball game for eight consecutive years and always gifting Panhandle popcorn for Christmas, Donna forever was a champion of the brighter side of life. She often said her favorite Christmas song was, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” particularly for the verse,

“Let your heart be light, from now on our troubles will be out of sight. Have yourself a merry little Christmas make the Yule-tide gay from now on our troubles will be miles away.”

In the twilight of her life, as she battled multiple health issues, she reached deep to find solace in her family and met every challenge with quiet, yet fierce strength. Always a fashionista, her sense of style and knowledge of current entertainment and pop-culture rivaled even her teenage granddaughters. A lifelong Dallas Cowboys, she recently switched to the Kansas City Chiefs (i.e., Taylor Swift).

While some overly value their career or material belongings, Donna’s wealth was found in family birthday parties, Friday night football games, basketball games anytime and lazy Sundays with her family. This past Halloween she traveled from Cypress, Texas to Lubbock to join her son’s family in trick-or-treating fun, no different than 408 Taylor Lane.

A true daughter of the Texas Panhandle, Donna's greatest gifts to her sons, Michael and Matthew Webb, whom she adored every waking moment, were her spirit of resilience and the paramount importance of family. Her gift to her six beloved grandchildren—Christian, Elle, Roman, Ava, Nicolás, and Victoria—was unconditional love, no matter what!

In a letter to her son many years ago she wrote, “It's your move son… I can teach you kindness, but I cannot make you gracious.” Grace is a skill in which she was keenly adept. Her lessons of forgiveness, love and compassion will forever resonate with her family. Her passing leaves a Palo Duro size hole in her family that they will strive to fill with the enduring values she left behind.

Donna is survived by her sons Michael Webb (Cypress, Texas), and Matthew Webb (Lubbock), her grandchildren Christian Webb (Houston), Elle Webb (Cypress, Texas), Roman Webb (Dallas), Ava Webb (Cypress, Texas), Nicolás Webb (Lubbock), Victoria Webb (Lubbock) and her loyal dog Chanel #5.

Donna is also survived by her loving sister Sharon Henry (Canyon), her daughter-in-law Angel Webb (Cypress, Texas) and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Margaret and Crawford Ruthart and her sister Karen Dulaney. Hug your family!