Freestone County, Texas
Obituaries



Donald Hartley
January 6, 1933 - August 6, 2021

Funeral services for Donald Hartley were held on Monday, August 9th at 2:00 p.m. 
at Eighth Avenue Baptist Church in Teague, TX. Walter Pickens and Delmar White 
officiated. Following the funeral, Donald was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in 
Teague. 

Donald Hartley passed away on August 6, 2021 at the age of 88 at Providence 
Hospital in Waco. 

Donald was born on January 6, 1933 in Dew, TX to Leonard Dalton and Ada Hartley. 
He grew up in the Dew/Teague area and lived most of his life in this area. 
Donald graduated from Teague High School in 1952 and joined the US Air Force. 
After four years of service, he came back to his hometown and married Betty Cox 
Hartley, and they were married 51 years. They had two children: Donna Hartley 
Hargrove and Leonard Hartley and four grandchildren-- Tiffany, Marcus, Melissa 
and Elizabeth. 

Donald was an active man who truly enjoyed working. He was a painter for the 
majority of his life, painting many homes and buildings within the Teague area. 
Because of his profession (and personality), Donald knew most people in Teague 
along with their family lineage and history. He would often tell stories of 
people dating back decades, and his favorite phrase at the end of his story was 
“You didn’t know that?” 

As a side business, he had numerous cows that kept him occupied and often 
frustrated. He checked on his cows every day, usually with his chihuahua Rex. 
Donald could almost always be found on his tractor in one of his pastures. 

Donald was an exceptional father and grandfather, completely devoted to his kids, 
grandkids and great-grandkids. He attended all school functions, birthday parties, 
and anything else he could for his family. He often referred to his great-
grandkids as “great” great-grandkids because he adored them so much. He believed 
firmly that his family was the most important part of his life, and he lived out 
that belief his entire 88 years of life. 

Donald is survived by his son, Leonard Hartley and wife Dolores; his son-in-law, 
Mark Hargrove; his granddaughters, Tiffany Strong and husband Stephen, Melissa 
Smith and husband Kevin, Elizabeth Jernigan and husband Jacob; his great-
grandchildren, Lyric, Tullus, Kaira, Tyson, Silas, Emerson, Jax, Ellison, and 
Zak; one sister, Yvonne Pendergrass; one sister-in-law, Evaughn Cox; numerous 
nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Betty Hartley, daughter Donna Hargrove, and 
grandson Marcus Hargrove.