Donyal Virene Evans' Obituary
Mrs. Donyal Virene Evans Brooks, (wife of Nicholas Antonio Brooks) was born October 6, 1977 in Columbia, South Carolina. She was the daughter of Virene Jackson Layton and Darnell Evans. She was called home to be with the Lord on Friday, January 21, 2005, in Aviano, Italy.Donyal attended the public schools of Richland County, and graduated from Columbia High School. She stood out academically, was an outgoing student, and was a member of the cheering squad. In 1994, during her Junior year of high school, Donyal was diagnosed with BellÂ's Palsy, a disease that paralyzed one side of her face. Determined not to let this illness get her down, she continued to cheer, and graduated 5th in her Senior Class in May of 1995.Upon graduating Donyal attended Clemson University for one semester. Feeling that she had not completed everything that she could do with her life, she was constantly reminded of her grandfather, John Evans who was a thirty (30) year member of the US Air Force. So she enlisted in the US Air Force at the age of 18, and began her career at Beale AFB in California as an Imagery Analyst with the 9th Intelligence Squadron. It was there that Donyal met her future husband, Nicholas Antonio Brooks while at a newcomerÂ's briefing. The two became best friends, fell in love and married on ValentineÂ's Day of 2000. She completed her tour and separated from the Air Force to return to school with the intention of attaining a commission.When her husband received an assignment to Charleston Air Force Base, in South Carolina, Donyal enrolled and attended Charleston Southern University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Technology. While attending Charleston Southern, she became a member of Nu Sigma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, an organization synonymous with strong women and a passion for public service.In June 2004, Donyal joined her husband as a Second Lieutenant in Aviano, Italy, Aviano Air Base. She realized that every moment spent with those you love was precious, and she shared love with her family and friends.Donyal was a loving mother to two beautiful children, Dominique Antoinette, who was born July 5th, 2000; and her son, Nicholas Antonio II, who was born on January 9th, 2005.Those who will forever cherish her precious memory are her loving and devoted husband, Nicholas; her children, Dominique and Nicholas II; her mother, Virene J. Layton; her father Darnell Evans; stepfather, Keith Layton; brothers, John T. Evans, Aakeem Evans, and her sister Megan Layton; her mother-in-law, Antoinette Smith; brothers-in-law, Christopher Brooks and Anthony Smith; sister-in-law, Yamara Brooks; and a host of other loving relatives and dear friends; all of whom join with the family in sharing the grief caused by her untimely departure.Viewing will be from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday, February 3, 2005 at Mountain View Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, February 4, 2005 in the Mt. View Garden Chapel.
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