Grace Gardens Funeral Home

09/19/2026

If you were unable to attend the funeral services or livestream event for James Joiner, we have made the recording available https://cutt.ly/JamesJoinerRecording.

You can view the obituary for James Joiner here: https://cutt.ly/JamesJoinerObituary

View James Clarence Joiner's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/18/2026

Donna Inez Porter

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Donna Porter’s passing on September 18, 2026. Born on September 23, 1948, in Waco, Texas, to Inez Couch and Alvin Sorrells, Donna’s warm spirit and loving nature touched the lives of everyone who knew her.

Donna found her greatest joy in family. She married her true love, Jim Porter, in April of 1969. Together, they raised their wonderful son, Christopher, who became the centerpiece of their lives. Donna dedicated much of her professional life to the Anatomic Pathology Laboratory at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center, often working alongside her sister. Her career also included time spent at a private laboratory in Waco, where her gentle demeanor and sharp intellect shone brightly.

Beyond her professional life, Donna was a woman of many passions and remarkable accomplishments. She developed a love of aviation at a young age, earning her solo pilot’s license at just 16, her private pilot’s license at 17, and both her commercial pilot’s license and instructor’s license by the age of 18. She went on to share her passion for aviation with others as a flight instructor.

Donna was also an avid gardener and a true lover of the outdoors, but few things brought her more delight than hummingbird season. She went to great lengths to make her yard a welcoming haven for hummingbirds, creating an environment that attracted multitudes of them each year. She kept her feeders full and ready, eagerly anticipating their return and taking great joy in watching them flit from feeder to feeder throughout her yard. Donna could spend hours enjoying their beauty and activity, and she cherished every minute of their visits. Her yard became a place where her love of nature could truly flourish.

After retiring to the family farm, Donna devoted herself wholeheartedly to caring for her husband, brother, and sister until each of them passed away. Her willingness to give so much of herself to those she loved was a beautiful reflection of her generous heart and deep devotion to family.

Donna was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jim; her parents, Alvin and Inez Sorrells; her brothers, A.D. Sorrells, Jr., Allen Ray Sorrells, and Kenneth Neil Sorrells; her sister, Ora Evelyn Sorrells; and her nephew, Mike Sorrells.

She leaves behind cherished memories with her son, Chris, and daughter-in-law, Tiffini; her granddaughters, Cayla Porter and Taylor McVey; her sister-in-law, Robin Fitzgerald; and an extended family that includes Christian Bowman, Vanessa Sorrells, Thomas Sorrells, Robert Sorrells, and Nicole Sorrells.

The family will hold a private memorial service to honor Donna’s life and legacy, and details will be announced at a later date. In this time of sorrow, we invite everyone who knew and loved Donna to keep her spirit alive in their hearts and memories.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to all the doctors, nurses, and staff at Ascension Providence Hospital for their love and care of Donna.

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09/18/2026

Friends and family, please join us in celebrating the life of a beloved member of our community, James Joiner, on 9/19/2026 1:00 PM Central (Chicago). We would love for you to participate in person or virtually as we remember, honor, and celebrate them.

Livestream: https://cutt.ly/JamesJoiner
Obituary: https://cutt.ly/JamesJoinerObituary

Thank you for loving James Joiner as much as we do and taking time to honor their life with us.

View James Clarence Joiner's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/18/2026

Today is National POW/MIA Recognition Day. For some families there was never a service. Never a casket. Never a date to visit. Veterans services are part of what we do at Grace Gardens. If your family is planning for a veteran, we will walk you through what they earned.

www.gracegardensfh.com/veterans-services

09/18/2026

Michael Jay Jones

Michael Jay Jones, aged 79, ascended to the Kingdom of God on September 13, 2026.

Michael was born December 20, 1946, in Amarillo, Texas, to Cecille Trent Cooper and Allen Alfay Cooper. He was later adopted by his stepfather, Jay L. Jones III, and changed his name from Kirk Alan Cooper to Michael Jay Jones.

Although born in Texas, Michael held a special love for New Mexico and its Native American art, particularly Pueblo pottery. He spent many years working in advertising in New Mexico, writing commercials and lending his distinctive voice to voiceovers. In 1993 he moved to Waco, Texas, to work as a writer and producer of student-recruitment and college-marketing videos and to develop interactive/multimedia educational curricula for Texas State Technical College Waco. He worked for Texas State Technical College until he retired.

Michael was a talented and creative artist who enjoyed painting with acrylics and drawing with pencil. He earned both a bachelor’s degree in communication and a master’s degree in Theatre Arts from the University of New Mexico. Michael wrote several plays, with the most notable being Brother of Dragons, Companion of Owls, which was performed at the University of Albuquerque in the 1970s.

Michael was a devoted member of the Bahá’í Faith in Waco and served for many years on the Local Spiritual Assembly. He also shared his love of his Faith and its teachings through monthly articles published in the Anchor News. His faith was an important part of his life and of the friendships he formed within the Waco community.

Michael was funny, talented, kind, and a true friend. His unique spirit, creativity, humor, and friendship touched the lives of many. He will be remembered with great affection and missed dearly by all who knew and loved him.

Michael is survived by a half-brother, Ron Henderson of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Michael’s life will be remembered at a graveside service on Monday, September 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco, Texas.

May his soul rest in the eternal presence of God and may the light of his life continue to live in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

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09/18/2026

Ingrid Dale High

Ingrid Dale Henningsen High, beloved mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family on September 15, 2026, in Waco, Texas.

Memorial service will be held Tuesday September 22nd at Grace Gardens Funeral Home, 8220 Woodway Dr, Woodway, TX. The visitation will begin at 11a.m. with the celebration of life beginning at 12 p.m. Interment will be immediately afterwards at Oakwood Cemetery, 2124 S. 5th St., Waco, TX 76706.

Ingrid was born June 7, 1956, in Fort Worth, TX as the third child of George and Caroline (Eiseman) Henningsen.

Ingrid was preceded in death and welcomed into heaven by her father, George Henningsen and her grandmother, Leona Henry.

Ingrid leaves behind a family who will carry her memory close to their heart: her children Adam Dooley and wife Robin, daughter Heidi Kempton and husband Thomas, grandchildren, Peyton, Parker, Bryson, Haiden, and Nash; sisters Holly Billings and Sigrid Whitford and brother Geoffrey Henningsen and her mother Caroline Henningsen.

Those wishing to honor Ingrid’s memory may make a memorial donation to the Texas Oncology Foundation https://texasoncologyfoundation.org/

As a special way to honor Ingrid, we invite everyone to wear purple to her service. Purple was a meaningful color to Ingrid, and seeing it surrounding her loved ones would be a beautiful tribute to her life and memory.

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09/16/2026

Families ask where their loved one actually goes. Fair question. At Grace Gardens, the crematorium is on site. Your loved one never leaves our care. No transport to another facility. No handoff to a stranger. Straight answer, because we can give one.

www.gracegardensfh.com

09/15/2026

Joanne Smith

Joanne Smith passed away peacefully at her home on September 6, 2026, at the age of 91.

Born in Prairie Hill, Texas, on August 21, 1935, Joanne grew up showing resilience and strength from a young age, having lived through the challenges of the Great Depression. She graduated from high school at the age of sixteen and went on to build a dedicated career as a bookkeeper, serving 40+ years at Sears and 10+ years at American Vault.

On February 16, 1957, she married the love of her life, Ed Smith, in Prairie Hill, Texas. Together, they shared a wonderful life filled with community, faith, and common passions, with cruising being one of them.

Joanne was a member of Hewitt Methodist Church in Hewitt, Texas. Outside of her work and church life, she enjoyed square dancing, belonging to local clubs and performing across the surrounding areas.

She was preceded in death by J.B. and Bert Adeline Suttle, as well as her brother Gary Suttle.

Joanne is survived by her beloved husband, Ed Smith; her daughter, Terry Smith; her son, Todd Smith and wife, Melinda; her grandchildren, Jason and wife, Julie; Jonathan and wife, Brandi; Mia and husband, Nathan; four additional grandchildren; her nieces Steffany and Mary Suttle; as well as numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

A Graveside Service will be held on September 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Prairie Hill Cemetery, 5152 F.M. 339, Prairie Hill, TX 76678. Following the service there will be no memorial lunch hosted.

The family extends a special thank you to the members of Hewitt Methodist Church for their support and care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joanne’s honor to Hewitt Methodist Church, 600 S. 1st St., Hewitt, TX 76643.

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09/14/2026

Marcie Johnson

Marcie (Martha Jean) Johnson, 75, of Waco, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, after a brief illness.

Marcie was born on August 8, 1951, in Dallas, Texas, to William Robert “Billy” Houser and Jane Windrow Houser. She attended the University of North Texas before dedicating her life to one of her greatest passions—educating and nurturing young children.

On August 24, 1974, Marcie married the love of her life, Stephen Michael “Steve” Johnson, in Dallas. Together, they built a life centered around faith, family, and caring for others. Marcie dedicated more than 50 years to educating young children through her work in kindergarten and preschool, including her years with Robinson ISD. Throughout her career, she impacted more than a thousand little lives. Her kind and nurturing nature made her a natural teacher, and the love and care she poured into her students left a lasting impression on generations of children and their families.

A pillar in her church and community, Marcie generously gave of her time and talents to others. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels and was a proud member of P.E.O. International, the Philanthropic Educational Organization, where she mentored and supported professional women and served her community. Marcie's generosity was simply part of who she was. Marcie was also a member of the First Methodist Church in Waco, participating in the Ladies' Wednesday Bible Study Group. She was also a member of the Theophyllis Sunday School Class.

Those who knew Marcie best will remember her as kind, nurturing, and incredibly generous, but also for her wonderfully sharp sense of humor. She had a special way of bringing laughter to those around her and making life brighter. Her warmth, wit, and genuine love for others will be deeply missed.

Marcie was preceded in death by her parents, William Robert “Billy” Houser and Jane Windrow Houser. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her beloved husband, Steve Johnson; daughter, Michelle and husband Jason; son, Michael and wife Cindy; and her cherished grandchildren, Andrew, Samuel, Elliott, and Josephine.

A visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at First Methodist Church, followed by a service celebrating Marcie's life at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

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09/14/2026

There is no timeline for grief. Not 30 days. Not a year. Not "by the holidays." Grief is personal. Feeling everything at once, or feeling nothing at all, is a normal response to loss. Your feelings are valid. Nobody gets to hand you a deadline.

www.gracegardensfh.com