Tributes

Donna Faye Schmidt Emery, 75, of San Antonio, TX, passed away on August 11, 2026. Donna was born in Victoria, TX on September 14, 1950 to Bernice Davis Schmidt and Merle Aubrey Schmidt. She graduated high school in 1968 from Spring Branch High School in Houston, TX. Donna was married to Richard Leslie Emery on August 15, 1970. They lived in Houston where they had two kids, Sadie Lynn Emery and Daniel Leslie Emery, before moving to Brenham, TX in 1980. In 1997, Donna and Rick relocated to San Antonio, TX. Donna had many passions. She loved gardening and was praised for her ability to grow beautiful flowers. She enjoyed cooking and canning foods. Over the course of her life, her culinary repertoire expanded across a wide variety of cuisines. She enjoyed sewing, including making Halloween costumes for her children. She had a passion for quilting and was known to visit the International Quilt Festival with many of her good friends. She took classes in pottery and made many beautiful pieces that can still be found in the kitchens of her friends and family today. She was also an active Girl Scout Troop Leader for several years, and she hosted a foreign exchange student, making connections that spanned the globe. Donna was an active member of multiple churches in Brenham and San Antonio. She participated in mission trips to Belize and helped out her local community with a smile for everyone. Donna had multiple careers in addition to being an amazing mother. She taught preschool at First Baptist Church School in Brenham. She worked for Mark Hyatt State Farm Insurance and did numerous office tasks at her husband’s small businesses. She also worked for many years first at First United Methodist Church in Brenham and later at Coker Methodist Church in San Antonio. Those who met Donna frequently remarked on her kindness. She cared deeply about everyone and was always ready to lend a hand and a smile. She had a reputation as a Scrabble enthusiast and grammar perfectionist. She loved to laugh with her friends, whether around the table or in a hotel room at Quilt Fest. Most of all, she loved her family, especially her children and grandchildren. Donna was preceded in death by parents, her husband, and her sister, Malinda Schmidt. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Sharan and Bill McBride, her daughter, Sadie, her son, Daniel, daughter in law Keely, and their kids, Zoe, Finnegan, Molly, and Charlotte. A celebration of her life will be held at Mission Park South in San Antonio on August 23 between 2:30 to 5:30. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Fund.

Tributes

Donna Faye Schmidt Emery

September 14, 1950 - August 11, 2026