Donna Jo Flores

Donna Jo Flores, surrounded by family and loved ones, passed away on April 22, 2026, in Temple, Texas, at the age of 69. She was born on March 4, 1957, in Midland, Texas, to Virginia and the late Glen Merworth.  She was the devoted mother to Kristal, Jessica, and Jeremy.  On December 10, 2022, she married her best friend and soul mate, Ines Flores.  Ines showered Donna with love and adoration.  Her time with him was the happiest of her life.  They resided in Copperas Cove and were caregivers to her mother.

Donna loved to garden, “her” Dallas Cowboys, the color teal, and spending time with family.  She and Ines loved to fish, but her favorite place in the world was sitting on their porch with him, enjoying the quiet moments.  She also loved spending time with her grandchildren and cherished her role as “Nana”.  Sleepovers were her forte, but she also loved supporting her grandchildren at their numerous activities.  Donna was never shy about telling everyone how proud she was of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.   She will be remembered most for the love she gave so freely to her family. Their lives were touched by her kindness and devotion.

Donna was preceded in death by her sister, Linda Dianne Maker, and husband, Earney Maker Sr.; daughter-in-law, Candace Flores, nephews Michael and Earney Maker Jr.; half-sisters, Amanda Merworth and Krystal Norman; step-brother, Bruce Gibson; step-father, W. L. "Hoot" Gibson; and father, Glen Merworth.

She is survived by her husband, Ines Flores, her children,  Kristal and her husband, Robert Menchaca, Jessica and her husband, Darrin Steed, Jeremy and his wife Drea Gibson, her stepchildren, Gabriel and his wife, Lisa Flores, Nick Flores, Noe, and the late Candace Flores, Elaine Cortez and husband Bobby Killough, and Linda Flores; and her mother, Virginia Gibson. Her love continues to live on in the hearts of her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. So numerous that they cannot all be named, yet each one is forever touched by her warmth and devotion. She also leaves behind her brother, Brandon, and wife, Cricket Merworth, stepbrother Jon Pope III, stepsisters Ardith Gibson Tompkins, and Judy Woolis.  Also left to cherish her memory are numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She is also survived by half-sisters, Glenda Stinnett and husband Ray, and DeDee Williamson.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Liam Menchaca, Tristan Tergerson, Andrew Gibson, Federico Menchaca, Tristan Deanda, Jayton Flores, and Cayden Flores.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Starbuck Funeral Home, 1022 N. 2nd, Merkel, TX.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday April 29, 2026 at Starbuck Funeral Home.  Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Starbuck Funeral Home.

Those who knew Donna will remember her as loving, faith-filled, and spirited. She had a way of making others feel seen and valued, and her heart was generous in ways both quiet and unmistakable. Her family and friends will carry forward the lessons she leaves behind through her example of loyalty, compassion, and steadfast faith. Her life was a blessing to those around her, and her memory will continue to bring comfort to all who loved her.

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