Donna Underwood August 27, 1937 - September 10, 2023

Donna Darlene Northrup Underwood, 86, of Stamford passed away Sunday, September 10, 2023, at Harmony Care Center in Stamford. The family received friends at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 13, in the Kinney-Underwood Funeral Home. A graveside service was held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 14, in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, under the direction of Kinney-Underwood Funeral Home. Donna was born August 27, 1937, to Ralph and Ellen (Gettle) Northrup in Higgins, Texas. She grew up in the Panhandle of Texas until she met the love of her life Lenoy (Eddie) Underwood. They were married on February 4, 1955, in Anson, Texas. Eddie was in the United States Air Force for 20 years, so our family lived in many different places including overseas. We moved to Stamford in 1978, when Dad went to work for Doris Kinney at Kinney Funeral Home. After Dad’s retirement they enjoyed their time together at the Stamford Country Club playing golf. She was always proud of the fact that she won the Lady Golfers’ Club Championship in 2001. When anyone asked her if she worked she simply said, “no I just stay at home and take care of the kids” but we all know that she was being modest, her resume is quite impressive. Donna worked 24/7 as a wife, mother, housekeeper, counselor, chef, taxi driver, referee, disciplinarian, judge and jury (until Dad got home), event coordinator, teacher, comedian, mind reader (not necessarily a good thing!), nurse and doctor.

Mom always said she would not take a million dollars for any of her kids but she would not cross the street for another one if they were giving them away! None of us wanted to hear the dreaded phrase “Wait till your dad gets home.” Something she didn’t realize is her punishments of dumping dresser drawers or washing walls and baseboard were much more dreaded than dad’s punishment. She lived and breathed FAMILY. She was proud of her children despite our quirks. She worried about us, rooted for us, protected us, and always forgave us. Despite being full of kids, she kept our home im- maculate. It was a gathering place where everyone was welcome. She was always ready to set another plate or two at the table for our friends, many of whom call her Mom. She took this as a compliment and we were proud of her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie; a son, Tommy Dale Underwood; her parents; one sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Roy Albright; and one brother, Wilbur Emanuel “Sonny” Northrup. She is lovingly survived by 5 sons Dusty and wife Rhonda of Redmond, OR; Rocky of Brady, TX.; Chico and Melanie of Stamford; Bo and Jamie of Escalon, CA; Lenoy “Shorty” and Kathy of Alamogordo, NM; 4 daughters Sandy Smith of Stamford; Dena and Ron Purvis of Abilene; Nina and Norm Reeves of San Antonio, Mary and Kirby Norrell of Wildorado, TX; 20 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren; one sister and brother-in-law, Dixie and Roberto Tarrango of Amarillo, TX; a sister-in-law, Sandy Northrup of Amarillo, TX; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; and a host of “bonus” children. Memorials may be made in Mom’s name to Common Ground, c/o Paul Wright , 219 S. Swenson, Stamford, Texas 79553; VIP Center, 508 E. Gould St., Stamford, Texas 79553 or charity of choice.