Donna Ruth Howard-Peters

Donna was born on September 3, 1968 in Biloxi, MS to her parents, Stewart Lynn “Tippi” Howard (McKeown) and Eddie Lane Howard. She was a brilliant force from that very moment.

Donna moved around in her youth but spent most of her developing years in Florida. At age 17, she started dating the love of her life and father to her three children, Timothy “Paul” Peters. Donna graduated from Okaloosa Walton Jr Community College with her Associates Degree in 1989. She and Paul moved to Charlotte, NC in 1990 and were married that year at St Mary’s on November 25th. Donna graduated Summa Cum Laude from Queens College - now Queens University - in 1992 with a Bachelor’s Degree in History.

Donna then worked at Queens College in several capacities, lastly as the Assistant Director of the EMBA program at the McColl School of Business. Donna and Paul moved into their long time home in Charlotte in 1994 and had their three children, Sarah Savannah Peters, John Graydon Peters, and Grace Dohnove Peters. After Grace’s birth, Donna was a Home Maker and business-owner. In 2017, Donna and Paul made a big life change and moved to their current home in China Grove, NC, where they’ve spent years making it the center of their family’s sphere.

Donna was nothing short of a wonder. No one forgot her after they met her, and she remembered everyone’s name and heart she encountered. She always knew exactly who she was, and she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind and ask for what she wanted and deserved. She set an example for all of us in how to treat ourselves. She never had a self-deprecating thought to share. She embraced people with joy and acceptance from the moment she perceived them and loved unconditionally. She was never encumbered by judgement, and for that reason you felt your most authentic self in her presence. She was wise and many, many people’s most trusted counsel. She was stubborn in the most endearing way. She always believed herself to be right, and to the chagrin of anyone who dared argue against her, she almost always was. She had a laugh that was contagious and a voice that was sweet and beautiful. She was happiest at the center of a vivacious conversation. She read and sang to her children every single night and sang along to her Uncle Chuck’s guitar at family gatherings. Donna craved knowledge and sought it her whole life. She was a lover of architecture, house projects, pottery, music and art. She had an eye for exactly where each curated piece should go. She was a tennis fanatic, master thrifter, crossword wiz, puzzler, and a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend.

Donna was diagnosed with cancer in 2024 and passed away from ongoing complications due to her treatments. Her family and close ones are weighed down by the most intense sadness that she has left their orbit, but they are thankful that she is no longer suffering.

Anyone who got to know Donna - or better yet got to be loved by Donna - is one lucky person. She will live on through all of us.

Preceding Donna in death are: her great-grandparents, Col. Dewey and Sarah McKeown; grandparents, Dohn “Meemaw” and Charlie “Pawpaw” McKeown, and Ruth and Merle Howard; grandparents-in-law, Col. Norman and Francis Stoker; mother-in-law, Sue Grady; father, Eddie Howard; brother-in-law, Brian Peters.

Remaining to cherish Donna’s memory are: her husband, Paul Peters; children, Savannah Daumen-Peters (Heidi), John Peters, Grace Peters (Daniel); mother, Tippi Howard; father-in-law, Bob Peters; step-father-in-law, Ken Grady; brother, Joe Howard (Tambi); sister-in-law, Terrisue Merriweather (Michael); nephew Dalan Howard; nieces Olivia Howard, Bailey Howard and Payton Bailey; beloved aunt Patti McKeown; beloved uncle Chuck McKeown (Mary); beloved cousins Christi Mullins (Mike), Missi Marsh (Tim), and their children Miller and Graydon Mullins, and Owen and Ella Marsh; as well as many cherished friends and family members.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to WFAE at https://www.wfae.org/

The family would love for folks to share their favorite photos and memories of Donna at:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/jj7uqtP1KnEmgSKu6. and

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeKJfaaLImGfGl9Cdr00XSj8I762rfB1e9_6rgvs9RDQgsuDg/viewform.

Donna’s Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 8th 2025 from 10am-2pm at Wooden Robot, 1440 S Tryon St UNIT 110, Charlotte, NC 28203.

FB event: https://www.facebook.com/share/15kc1tgAyy/?mibextid=wwXIfr

This will be an open house/drop-in style event. Light food will be available as well as drinks for purchase.

Words of comfort and memories may also be left at www.linn-honeycutt.com.

Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Howard-Peters family.