Donna Jean Smith
Donna Jean Smith went to heaven on September 11th, 2024 at the age of 64. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Donna was born on October 31st, 1959, to Kenneth Earl Smith and Edith (Brooks) Smith in Fayette. When she was 6 years old the family moved to a farm on Drew Rd in Centralia, and Centralia would be her forever home. In 1970 Donna became a member and was baptized in the First Baptist Church.
Donna attended Centralia Schools but cut her education short to become a young mother to the first of three girls. She started her career as a factory worker in 1977 at Square D in Columbia, where she worked for nearly 20 years. Throughout her career, she was known for her hard work, dedication, and passion for making people laugh and smile.
More than anything, Donna was a devoted mother and grandmother. She loved spending time with children and grandchildren, going to see their sports, sharing her crazy stories, cooking their favorite meals and even adventuring up to Wyoming several times to visit. She was always there to give advice, encouragement and even a little life wisdom...."do what I say, NOT what I do!”
Donna was always the life of the party and had a personality bigger than life! This lead her to many lifelong friendships that will last longer than her time on this earth. Besides spending time with her family and friends she enjoyed "cruising" the backroads, dancing, doing puzzles, going to Tractor Pulls and hanging out with her sisters. Her memory will be cherished by all who knew her. She is survived by her three daughters, April Ramsey of Riverton, Wyo., Cinda Smith and Ronnie Marie Smith (Jonathan Dillehay) both of Centralia; her grandchildren, Wyatt Ramsey of Riverton, Wyo., Makenna Love (Austin Tuggle) of Grand Rapids, Mich., Cloe Ramsey of Laramie, Wyo., Jayden Bartlow of Centralia, Leland Bartlow of Centralia, McKenzze Smith of Centralia and Kadin Dillehay of Centralia. Her sisters, Brenda K Lewis of Centralia, Linda Griggs of Centralia, Glenda Moran of Bowling Green, Melissa Kitchen of Moberly, and Marlana Smith of Centralia; brothers Tracy Cates of Centralia, Kenneth Earl Smith Jr (Cheryl Johnston) of Centralia; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father Kenneth Earl Smith; mother Edith (David "Tater Bug") Cates and life partner Randy Kersting. Memorial services will be held at 4:00 pm on Saturday, September 21st at the First Baptist Church in Centralia. There will be a bereavement dinner provided for close friends and family starting at 2:00 p.m. Please join us and bring your story's....let's celebrate this beautiful woman!
Online condolences may be left at www.fentonkendrickfh.com
