LaDonne Mingo

LaDonne (Prewitt) Mingo, age 69, passed away peacefully from this life and transcended into glory to be in the presence of her Lord while at her home in Lakeland, Florida, on Monday, March 1, 2021. She was surrounded by her beloved husband and her daughter’s when she drew her final earthly breath.  

LaDonne was born on July 12, 1951, in Chicago, IL, to the late Fred Prewitt and the late Leontine Sanford Prewitt. LaDonne’s family relocated to Covert, MI, where she met the love of her life and high school sweetheart Allen Lyne Mingo.  After graduating from Covet high school, LaDonne and Allen married on October 25, 1969. From their union, they had two children, Chanda Elaine and Sonya Camille.  

After her husband’s retirement, LaDonne, after 30 years, left LaSalle Federal Bank, where she worked as a branch manager and bank officer. Together they decided to relocate from St Joseph, MI to Lakeland, FL to enjoy the rest of their retirement. 

 LaDonne married her love, her Allen, at the age of 18. She and Allen were married 51 years. Through their union, LaDonne’s legacy is lovingly remembered by her two daughter’s Chanda (Terry)Thomas of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Sonya (Jerrold) Williams-Coakley of Yorba Linda, Califonia; by four grandchildren Tyler Louis Thomas (28), Kennedie A’Lyne Thomas (24), Jayston Emerson Williams-Coakley (21) and Schuyler Elliot Williams-Coakley  (18)and by one great-grandson Zaid Isaiah Evans-Thomas (2). LaDonne is also survived by her Sister’s Pamella (Roy) Jackson of South Haven, Michigan, Mrytle Prewitt of Sacramento, California; Ronda Jones of  San Jose, California; her favorite brother Fred (Erica) Prewitt of Pontiac, Michigan; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. LaDonne was preceded in death by her parents Fred Prewitt and Leontine (Sanford) Prewitt.

LaDonne accepted Jesus Christ into her heart as Lord and Savior at the age of 27 under the ministry of Pastor Starlon Washington of Community Bible Baptist Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan.  LaDonne was passionate about serving her Lord and was active in church ministry for over 41 years.  She served in many capacities, such as Sunday School teacher, Deaconess, youth ministries, served on various committees.  She worked faithfully by her husband’s side as they ministered together.  LaDonne was faithful in membership, attendance, and involvement at each church where she was a member.  During her time at Unity Bible Baptist Church, where she was a member for 35 years, she grew the most as a new believer and met the majority of her church family lifelong friends -Unity will always be home. However, after relocating to Florida, LaDonne became a Northside Baptist Church member. It is there that she fell in love with the warmest, most welcoming, genuine, loving, beautiful, and kind brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. It was at Northside Baptist that she found her second home. 

LaDonne’s seven-year battle with MSA eventually left her completely bedridden.  Not able to leave the house, LaDonne’s in-home women’s Bible study ministry with the ladies of Northside Baptist Church was the absolute highlight of her week. She taught her bible study class from home in her hospital bed.  It was her heart’s desire to serve until she absolutely could no longer do so.  Her ministry ended summer of 2019 when she physically was unable to communicate verbally. Her dedication and willingness to serve with a smile were an inspiration and testimony to others. LaDonne was a member of Northside Baptist Church of Lakeland, Florida, until her earthly departure.  

LaDonne was a faithful, committed, loving, and devoted wife. She was an actively involved and loving mother and grandmother.  She would never even consider not being there for her babies from tea parties, sporting events, recitals, and school functions.  LaDonne was a loyal friend.   She was committed to her home and to her beloved family, whom she loved so much.  An avid reader, LaDonne enjoyed going to the beach and watching sunsets with her Allen. She loved teaching, traveling, bowling, cross-stitching, gardening, canning with her sister Pam, talking and laughing with her siblings, and going on any family adventure. A true coffee lover, she enjoyed playing board and card games with the family. She was a word puzzle fanatic and a  solitare playing enthusiast. She loved watching movies with her grandkids. Spending time with her daughter’s, her grandchildren and watching her great-grandson run around or continually sharing his chips with her brought her tremendous joy.   

 Many will remember her beautiful and infectious smile, a warm embrace, sincerity, quiet unspoken strength, and selflessness. Her family knows all too well about her blatant honesty that was often accompanied with an eye roll. There was nothing pretentious about her. She was authentic and genuine. Her loving, tough love with her family was constant. If you step out of line, she will tell you, then hold you and rub your back while you cry. She was a prayer warrior who was seen each morning sitting at the kitchen table reading scripture aloud and praying.   She had the gift of teaching and exhortation and will be remembered for giving encouraging words to others when needed. Her ability to know precisely when to send a sweet note or card at just the right time was truly a gift. 

To her family, LaDonne leaves a tremendous legacy. She touched so many lives with her honesty, her love, her servant’s heart, and her love for family and life. She was the epitome of grace and class.  Her husband, the love of her life, would often tell his children and grandchildren, “I married a classy lady, didn’t I?”  She was beautiful, patient, respected, and deeply loved. She will forever be missed.

Private family services will be live streamed at 2:00 P.M. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family's online guestbook.