Donald Bruce Temple

Donald Temple, age 59, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2019, 4:20 AM at his home, surrounded by his family. Don was born on April 8, 1960 in Laurel, Mississippi to Joyce and H.B. Temple. He spent his childhood in the Laurel/Stringer area and enjoyed academics and had a profound love of nature. He was an active teen despite an early age diagnosis of Type I diabetes. Some of his fondest memories included time spent on his Grandpa’s farm, cooking, taking care of livestock and most importantly fishing in the creek with his Granny. Later in life, Don became an employee of Ellisville State School (ESS) where he met the love of his life Linda. They were married on September 10, 1983. Together, they had two children, Matthew and Donna. After the birth of his daughter, Don followed in his mother’s footsteps and became a Registered Nurse. He spent the majority of his nursing career working at ESS. In 2004 at the age of 44, Don was forced to retire from his beloved nursing career due to chronic health issues. Don remained an active member of First Baptist Church of Ovett. He loved the Lord and tried to live a life that reflected a Christ like image. In the days prior to his death, Don wrote “Death has no power over me. I have no doubt that I will go home and be with Jesus.” Don was preceded in death by his mother Joyce Perrett, his father H.B. Temple, his brother, Phillip Temple, grandparents, Bolton & Ettie Mae Ulmer and H.B. and Nonnie Temple. He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years Linda, son Matthew Temple (Kerri), daughter Donna Collins (Bailey), his grandchildren Katie, Hayden and Clayton Allen and Audrey Collins, step-father Joe Perrett (Sherry), brothers Terry Temple, Tracy Perrett (Karen) and sister Vicki Gordon (Geno) as well as a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews and extended family. Pallbearers will be the men of the First Baptist Church of Ovett: Grady Scarbrough, Howard Graham, Danny Dykes, Mike Graham, Clyde Warden and friends: Patrick Collins, Lee Backstrom and Holland James Honorary Pallbearers will be Charles Bradshaw, Waylon Walker, Danny Collins, Charles Eaks, Randy Landrum, Tommy Shows and Colton Warden. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 24, at Memory Chapel Funeral Home from 5 until 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday, 10:00 AM, at Felllowship Baptist Church, with the body placed in the church at 9:00AM. Services will be officiated by Brother Steve Kelly and Bro. Henry Freeman. Interment will follow in the Union Cemetery. To sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Donald Bruce Temple

April 8, 1960 - April 22, 2019