Kendrick McCartney Johnson Funeral Home
Dona Earlene Clapp, 85, a resident of Barnsdall, Okla., passed away on July 12, 2022. She was born February 8, 1937, in Skiatook, Okla. to Donis and Earl Yeargain, Jr.
Dona is survived by her husband of 35 years, Carl W. Clapp of Barnsdall; her sons Michael Doran of Independence, Mo., and Sean Doran of Irving, TX; her stepdaughters Susan Clapp of Barnsdall and Shari Clapp of Champaign, Ill.; sisters Delores Albert (Paul) and Debra Young (Bob) both of Albuquerque, N.M.; half-sisters Sherry Sugg (Evert) of Dallas, TX and Jackie Miller (Gary) of Tulsa, Okla.; nephew Matt Young (Arlene) of Albuquerque.
Dona graduated from Pawhuska High School in 1955 and then got her associate’s degree in 1957 from William Woods College in Fulton, Mo. From there she moved to Albuquerque, N.M., and began her career in service to others when she went to work for The Job Corps. In 1971, she moved to Zuni, N.M., where she became the Director of the Zuni Indian Head Start program. In 1978 she moved to Norman, Okla., and embarked on her rewarding career as a consultant, specializing in the needs and betterment of Native American children. In 1980, Dona teamed up with two other professional women and formed Three Feathers Associates with the mission of providing training and technical assistance specializing in the health and welfare of Pre-K children on any Indian Reservation who requested their services. During this time, she traveled the entire United States assisting as many reservations as she could. In 1991, she was chosen to represent the Indian Head Start programs at a White House ceremony celebrating the 25th anniversary of Head Start. To date, Three Feathers Associates is still in business carrying on the legacy of the original three partners.
In 1987, Dona married Carl Clapp of Barnsdall. Although Dona and Carl went to Pawhuska High School and graduated together, they didn’t run in the same circles. During their 30th reunion, they struck up a friendship and married two years later.
In 2000, Dona retired from Three Feathers Associates. She continued her life of service and resumed her role as an independent consultant. She also volunteered for PARB, a panel of professionals who help determine the best situation for the placement of at-risk Osage children. At 84, she achieved her goal of sitting on this panel for 20 years.
Dona was a devout Christian and attended Pawhuska First United Methodist Church. She was a member of GFWC, DAR, and UMW as well as a docent at the Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Reserve. For her entire adult life Dona loved to play bridge. She belonged to numerous bridge groups and played until shortly before her passing. She was also an avid reader and a connoisseur of the arts. She was thrilled to be able to see both Luciano Pavarotti and George Strait in concert. In addition to her love of the arts, Dona could engage in a variety of sports conversations. She loved watching her Oklahoma Sooners play football, and followed professional tennis (Novak Djokovic being her current favorite player), golf, and rodeo. Dona lived a rich, eclectic life. From mushing sled dogs in Alaska to riding elephants in India to helicoptering into a reservation at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, she would try almost anything (within reason). Dona took two international trips. She ventured to India in 1999 because she wanted to see the Taj Mahal and then went to Italy as she loved everything to do with Roman history.
Dona was a proud member of the Osage Nation and a horseman’s wife. On April 29, 2021, her wish came true when she officially named her first Quarter Horse. Dona’s Star Moons is a healthy, frisky gelding. Through him, Dona’s beautiful spirit lives on in every step he takes across her beloved Osage soil.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Dona to the National Indian Head Start Directors Association, www.nihsda.org
Memorial services to be held at the Pawhuska First United Methodist Church on Friday, July 22, at 11 a.m.
