Regina Lane Dongell

Regina Rae Lane Dongell, born February 1, 1959 in Raleigh, NC, passed away on June 22, 2022 in Lexington, KY. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Joseph Dongell, daughter Janna, son Jordan, daughter-in-law Heather (Tyner), granddaughter Lily Jane, mother Alice White Lane, sister Pamela Lane Fipps, and brother Dwane Lane. She was predeceased by her father Joseph Lane, and sister Marcella. Her memorial service was held on June 25 at the Wilmore Free Methodist Church, with interment in the Wilmore, KY Cemetery.

After her early childhood in Louisburg, NC, her family moved to the Guideway Community near Tabor City, NC. She graduated from Tabor City High School in 1977, and then from Central Wesleyan College (now Southern Wesleyan University) in 1981, majoring in Accounting and Business Administration. She would later earn an MA in Business Education at the University of Kentucky.

In August of 1981, she married Joseph (Joe) Dongell, whom she had met in college. They have since lived in Wilmore, KY, with the exception of a brief stay in Richmond, VA. In 1986, she gave birth to twins, Jordan and Janna, who immediately became the joy and focus of her life. She proved herself over these many years to be a tenaciously loving, loyal, and nurturing mother. Ultimately in the kind providence of God, she welcomed a fabulous daughter-in-law into her family, Heather Tyner, and was then gifted with a beautiful granddaughter, Lily Jane Dongell.

Regina loved the world of business, and was blessed to have amazing employers and mentors who in turn were blessed by Regina's hard work, loyalty, and careful thinking. She began her professional career at the Lexington, KY office of Sierra Coal Company. Then perhaps over a span of 25 years, she was blessed to work for J. Stephen Boyd, CPA, who has been a steady supporter and (particularly in these final months) a fervent prayer warrior for her. In recent years, Laurence Coppedge, of Cardinal Capital Management, has been an exceptionally generous, kind, and prayerful employer.

When she was forced to abandon full-time work because of her heart ailment, God's amazing grace brought Regina into contact with Friendship International, an organization committed to sharing the Love of God with women from other countries. She immediately found herself forming deep and tender friendships with women from cultures radically different from hers. Precisely because of her illness, Regina was drawn into the deep joy of giving and receiving God's love in a way she had never expected.

By November of 2021, it became clear that the long-delayed heart transplant had now become an immediate necessity. In the mystery of God's wise love, the heart transplant performed on March 20 eventually failed on June 22. Despite the heroic and tireless work of many wonderful medical professionals, Regina passed away from us, entering peacefully into the Lord's immediate presence that afternoon, surrounded and embraced by her family. Even in the seemingly endless pain and agony of her three-month ICU stay, the glory and love of God radiated to all through her winsome smile and beautiful spirit,

Anticipating her own death, Regina wrote these words to us: "Rejoice with me! I have had a good life!" Yes, Regina. We do rejoice with you! You have fought the good fight. You have finished the course. You have kept the faith. A crown awaits!

Memorial donations may be sent to Friendship International of Lexington, Ashland Avenue Baptist Church, 483 West Reynolds Rd, Lexington, KY 40503.

Betts & West is honored to serve Regina and her family in their time of need. An online guestbook is available at www.BettsAndWestFuneralHome.com