Fannie Mae Thompson- Donnell, born on July 24, 1934, to the late Will Thompson and Pearl James-Thompson in Grapeland, Texas, was the ninth child out of eleven children.

She married the late Riggen Donnell, Sr. on October 5, 1953, and in this union eight beautiful children were born.

From a young age, Fannie dedicated her life to her family, caring for her parents and becoming the cornerstone of the entire Thompson- Donnell family. Fannie accepted Christ at an early age and remained a devoted congregant until her health declined. She attended Grace Memorial Church of God in Christ in Chandler, Arizona before relocating with her children to Tyler, Texas. In Arizona she sang with a family group known as the Grace Singers. She passed on her gift of song to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren teaching them to use their gifts for God. After the move, she attended Greater Love Temple in Tyler and later served as the senior church mother at Miracle Center Church in Tyler. Fannie loved serving God. When the church doors were open you could find her there giving God all the praise. When she was not in church she would have church at home, listening to her quartet music and hosting weekly family prayer nights. Fannie enjoyed fishing. She enjoyed the whole process from the catching to the cleaning all the way down to frying the best fish on this side of heaven. When it came to family, Fannie held hers tight. When the holidays would come everyone knew Big Momma's house was the place to be!

She was preceded in death by both her parents, Will and Pearl Thompson, six brothers: Elijah Thompson, William Thompson, Edward Thompson, Willie Lee Thompson, James Thompson, LJ Thompson, four sisters: Alberta Thompson, Theoper Gamble, Etha Mae Daniels and Thelma Shepherd, two daughters: Dorothy L. Chestnut and Dorothy Jean Donnell, two sons: Riggen Donnell, Jr. and Billy R. Donnell, and one great-granddaughter: Bre'Anna J. Andrews.

Fannie is survived by her children: Alvo Donnell (Opal Jean), Barbara Andrews (Eugene, Sr.), Della Brown and Wanda Hill (Vincent), and one daughter-in-law: Vera Donnell. Her grandchildren: Tyrone Chestnut (Drea), Shervon Sash (Steven), Kenneth Brown, Jr. (Darla), Marquise Chestnut (Michelle), Shanieka Andrews, Cameron Donnell (Kimberly), Lamarcus Brown, La'Quitha Andrews, Frederick Donnell, Eugene Andrews, Jr., Brook Donnell, Ashton Donnell, Shakeidra Donnell (Carlos), Keddesha Donnell, Kamella Williams (Elton) and Dennis Warren (Ashley), along with 31 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. She also leaves behind family friend Edna Johnson, and her goddaughters Maggie and Megan Addams, Tracy Porter (Paul) and Dessie Johnson, along with a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.