Mrs. Anita Marie Donaldson Houston was born December 16, 1956, in Huntsville, AL to the late Mr. Charles Walter Donaldson, Sr. and the late Mrs. Juanita Morris Donaldson. Anita Marie Houston, 62, entered eternal rest on June 30, 2019 at Huntsville Hospital, with family by her side. 

Anita was the first girl and the third child born after two big brothers, but she was the boss of her brothers and the favorite of her father whom she had a knack for keeping straight also. A certain neighbor lady would report to Anita’s parents that "Little Sister" really kept those boys in line when they walked together down the street to the neighborhood grocery store.

Anita attended grades 1st – 5th, 1963 - 1968 at William Hooper Councill High School, the first black city school in Huntsville, and then in 1968 she integrated for one year into the previously all-white school, Blossomwood Elementary, with her baby sister, Sylvia, in tow. She attended junior high grades 7th – 9th, at Huntsville Junior High, and she graduated from Huntsville High School in 1975, where she was a member of the Delta Tri Sigma, Future Teachers of America (FTA) Club, Class Officer and Student Council Secretary. Her Senior Class personal quotation in the yearbook was very indicative of the strong, intelligent, loving mother and wife that she would become. "Patience is not passive; it is active; it is concentrated strength." Anita attended Alabama A&M University and worked at PPG for many years before her health failed. She also worked at Huntsville Manufacturing and Raytheon, but everyone remembers her smiling face when she worked at the neighborhood dry cleaners, Sneed’s, on Mastin Lake Road and Pulaski Pike. 

Anita was baptized at age 12, and served faithfully at First Missionary Baptist Church on Church Street and later on Blue Spring Road in Huntsville, AL under Reverend Julius Scruggs. On November 13, 2014, she joined Antioch A.M.E. Zion Church on Winchester Road under the pastorship of Reverend Emily Aker. She assisted the pastor and also was in charge of the announcements. She was a faithful attendant in both Sunday School and church, health permitting, even to the very end.

Anita married George Houston, Jr. on January 29, 1995, and they raised and nurtured two amazing children, Melissa K. Donaldson and Kevin M. Houston, both of whom made their mother and father proud of their educational achievements and their ability to love and care for their mother, the way that she had loved and cared for them.

Anita is survived by her devoted and loving husband, George Houston, Jr., of Huntsville, AL; two loving children, Melissa K. Donaldson of Huntsville, AL and Kevin M. Houston of Brooklyn, NY; two brothers, Charles W. Donaldson, Jr. of Washington D.C. and James L. Donaldson of Huntsville AL; sister, Sylvia D. Boyd (Gregor) of Nashville TN; granddaughter, Bre’Asia Cartwright of Huntsville AL; nephew, Trent M. Boyd of Nashville, TN; aunts, Mrs. Katie M. Payne and Mrs. Gladys M. Benton of Madison, TN, Mrs. Vera M. Nance of Huntsville, AL and Mrs. Catherine Morris of Harvest, AL; Sister-in-laws; Mrs. Sandra O’Hara of Birmingham, AL, Mrs. Diane Collier (A.J.) of Madison, Al; and Renee Ballard of Huntsville, AL; brother-in-law, Kent Houston of Triana, AL; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and acquaintances.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 6, 2019 at the Royal Chapel of Memories (4315 Oakwood Avenue Huntsville, AL 35810) with Reverend Emily Aker officiating. Interment will be in Saint Ruth Cemetery. Mrs. Houston will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral time.

Public viewing will be held from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m., Friday, July 5, 2019 and 8:30 a.m. until time of service at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 6, 2019 at the Royal Funeral Home.

https://www.royalfh.com/obituary/6508760