Donna Lee Crayle

Donna Lee Crayle, age 80 of Hillsboro, Virginia passed away suddenly on Friday, January 26, 2024. She was a longtime resident, 75-years of Bladensburg, Maryland before moving to Hillsboro in 2020.

Donna was born on March 24, 1943, at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC; she was preceded in death by her loving husband, William Frank Crayle, Sr., parents Donald E. Skiles, Sr. and Lelia Palmer and brother, Donald E, Skiles, Jr.   

Donna entered the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) programs in 1979. The program was intended to impart a marketable skill that would allow participants to move to an entry level government position.  After graduating first in her class, Donna was placed with USDA in April 1980 where she served more than 40 years with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.  

Donna is survived by her brother, William (Billy) Skiles and his wife Peggy of Mount Sterling, KY, her children, LaDonna Summers Carter (Brian) of Hillsboro, VA, Debbie Hodge (Dan) of Kearneysville, WV, William Frank Crayle, Jr. (Chantel) of Chesapeake, VA, David Crayle of Charles Town, WV, and Cathy Miller (Jimmy) of Montross, VA. 

Donna is also survived by her 13 grandchildren Christie Evans, Danamarie Crayle, Shannon Harvey, Samantha Crayle, David Crayle, Jr., Jessica Crayle, Michael Miller, Tiffany Crayle, Frank Crayle III, Brittany Byrd, Cody Hodge, Samuel Hodge, Isabella Crayle and honorary grandchildren Miriam and Janet Pavon; as well as 23 great-grandchildren. 

Donna leaves behind many special people that touched her heart and who were her other children (family): Kim Bailey, David Hodge, and Natalia Weinsetel along with close friends and neighbors Emma Adjeipong, Soni Murray, Ed Balthazar, Fred Pavon, and many others. 

The family would like to give thanks to Angie Crayle, Minister Franc Arias, Eion Davis, Bethany Jones, Abbey Fretz, Bill Lanning, Gwen Miller, Mike McKay, Karen Chiaramonte, Jody Spencer and Aaron and Jen Cavanagh for their grace and kindness in their support of the family. 

Visitation will be held at GASCH’S FUNERAL HOME, 4739 Baltimore Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20781 on Friday, February 9 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by services at 11 a.m.  Interment to follow at Hillsboro Cemetery, 37125 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro, VA 20132.

In honor of Donna's love for her granddaughter and her commitment to improving the lives of those living with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (or NF1), the family is requesting memorial donations in lieu of flowers to the Children's Tumor Foundation. Please go to www.ctf.org/donate or mail donations to: Children's Tumor Foundation, Mail Code: 6895, P.O. Box 7247,  Philadelphia, PA 19170-0001.