Donna Darlene Harrah

Donna Darlene Cooper Harrah of Hickory, NC, finished her courageous 2-year battle with ALS on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. As she ran into the open arms of Jesus, she was reunited with her parents Calvin and Frances Cooper, her brother Thomas Cooper, her nephews Arnie Cooper and John (Cliff) Nutter.

Donna loved the Lord, and she grew up attending Flat Rock Missionary Baptist Church in Flat Rock, Michigan. Her lifelong love of gospel music started at a young age worshiping the Lord. She had a beautiful alto voice and was always in the choir. After having been introduced in the church parking lot, Donna pursued Jackie Lynn Harrah on her motorcycle and 12 weeks later they were married. It was the beginning of their story, and their life together was a beautiful testament to the covenant of marriage.

Donna enjoyed working and being busy. Outside the home, Donna worked in health care for a span of more than 40 years. Most recently, she worked part time at Publix at Lake Hickory Crossing in the catering department. Even though Donna worked so hard and for so many years, the richness of her life was found in her home where she crafted, created, and made life more beautiful for all of us. Through those decades, Donna honed the skills she learned as a young girl sewing skirts for herself for school. Her greatest blessing was creating her family tree and watching it grow.

Donna is survived by her loving husband of 52 years Jackie Lynn Harrah; children: Monica VanAllsburg and her husband Chris of Hickory, NC, Eric Harrah, Sr. and his wife Melanie of Henderson, KY, and Stephanie Case and her husband Ken of Hickory, NC; sister Nancy Davis and her husband Mike of Brownstown, MI; brothers Doug Cooper and his wife Jeannie of Brownstown, MI and Arnold Cooper and his wife Barbara of Bucyrus, KS; grandchildren: Parker Noelle Harrah, Robyn Ashley Harrah, Brynne L’abri VanAllsburg, Aubrey Lynn Case, Nylah Renee VanAllsburg, Kelsey Lee Case, Eric Brandon Harrah, Jr., and Skylar Brooke VanAllsburg; and a host of nieces, nephews, and beloved brothers and sisters in law.

A service to celebrate Donna’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 20, at Drum Funeral Home in Hickory, NC, with Dan Kiefer Officiating. Family will receive guests before the service from 1:00 until 1:45. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be: Eric Harrah, Sr., Eric Harrah, Jr., Ken Case, Chris VanAllsburg, Doug Cooper, and Arnold Cooper.

Expressions of sympathy my take the form of memorial contributions to ALS United North Carolina www.alsnc.org/donate.