Ellen Cabaniss Jones Donkle

Ellen Cabaniss Jones Donkle

Passed from this life to the next on Tuesday July 16th after a three and a half year battle with cancer. Ellen suffered illness without complaint or defeat. She was at home, at peace with her family. Ms. Ellen, as she was known through over 30 years of teaching, coaching and counseling, helped innumerable young people lead fuller lives through athletics and college admissions. In each community she served, Ellen developed friendships with all sorts and conditions of people, finding the value of each and sharing her enthusiasm for life, passion for athletics and generous good humor. Her Christian Faith was rarely expressed in words but contagious in the way she offered gracious affection to her students, colleagues and friends.

Born December 20, 1955, in Charleston, S.C., Ellen lived in Clinton, S.C. for the first 10 years of her life where her father, the late Dr. Newton Bond Jones, was head of the history department at Presbyterian College and her mother, the late Catherine Wing Jones, taught in the Clinton Public Schools. She was baptized at All Saints Episcopal Church in Clinton.

In 1965, the family moved to Greenville, S.C. where Dr. Jones taught at Furman University and Mrs. Jones at Christ Church Episcopal School. Ellen was confirmed at Christ Church (Episcopal) and attended C.C.E.S. until her graduation in 1974. She was an honor student, student body officer and a member of the varsity cheerleading squad, the varsity field hockey team and the varsity basketball team.

Ellen attended Converse College for two years participating in field hockey, basketball and synchronized swimming, all at the varsity level. In 1976 she transferred to Furman University to pursue her passion for health and physical education and continue her career in NCAA field hockey. She graduated in 1978 and returned in 1979, earning her Master's degree in 1981.
In 1980, Ellen married Isaac Langston Donkle, III. The couple led the Episcopal Youth Group at Christ Church and taught Sunday school together. They have been blessed with three daughters: Catherine Crews Donkle, Jean McSween Donkle LaBruce (Richardson) and Ellen Cabaniss "Sister" Donkle.
Mrs. Donkle was a member of the Charlotte, N.C. Junior League then the Greenville Junior League. She taught and coached at Christ Church Episcopal School from 1981-1985, 1986-2001 and took student athletes to Europe for two summers as a chaperone and coach for the U.S. Olympic Field Hockey Futures teams.

After moving with her family to Pawley's Island, S.C. in 2001, Ellen continued her career as a coach and counselor at Waccamaw High School before taking a position at the Low Country Day School. During her years at Low country, she had the opportunity to work with students from grades K-12 as the Athletic Director, Registrar and Guidance Counselor.

Funeral Services will be held at 4 PM Thursday July 18th 2013 at Holy Cross Faith Memorial Episcopal Church in Pawley's Island. Inurnment will be in Christ Churchyard, Greenville, S.C. Saturday at 1 PM. The Reverend Wil Keith will lead both services, assisted in Greenville by the Reverend Dr. Allen Crews McSween.