Donna Iris Degood

Her life began in Richland, Washington on 18 April 1966 as 1 of 5 sisters. Her childhood brought her to Missouri where she would start her own family of 3 daughters, 2 sons & eventually a granddaughter.

While caring for her family, Donna went from being a high school drop-out to earning 2 Masters Degrees in Education & Special Education. She went from being on welfare to working as an insurance agent & later becoming a teacher. Her career as a teacher began with teaching general high-school courses. Later moving through working with alternative school kids before she eventually started working with special needs children. Then finally working as an educator in Missouri's juvenile system.

As her career advanced & her children matured, Donna became passionately convinced that not only is Jesus real, but he had a purpose for her life. He faith was nurtured at Sweetwater Baptist Church of Neosho. Then at Bethel Baptist Church of Kansas City. Her faith allowed her to forgive those from her past while pouring herself out for those in the present who are in difficult circumstances. Her faith & her life are a testimony that anyone persistently seeking to serve those whom others have given up on can make an impact, regardless of their current life situation.

Her earthly life came to a peaceful close on 12 June 2023 when her Heavenly Father called her home.

She will be remembered as an irreplaceable mother & friend whose memory will leave her children & grandchild with the unmistakable knowledge that they were loved by a great woman. Her friends will remember her as a shoulder to lean on. Her unofficial sons at the Youth Center where she worked will remember her as "Mama D", or "Mama Donna", a mother figure who loved & believed in them when most had given up on them. May these memories motivate us all to live selfless lives of service until we too are called home.

A special thank you goes to the extended family, friends & strangers who have prayed for & supports her children through this trying time. Thank you for honoring this amazing women.

She is survived by her children: Samantha Bou, Timothy Payne, Oliver Archer, Gabrielle Staley & Ruby DeGood. As well as her only grandchild: Gwen Lucus. Along with her sisters: Kelly, Dottie, DJ & Kippy.

She is preceded in death by her mother Lynetta Morris.

A visitation for Donna will be held on Saturday, July 1 starting at 10am with a memorial service starting at 11am, both at Bethel Baptist Church. For those unable to attend services in person a livestream is available by scrolling down to the Memorial Service information banner and clicking on the "Join Livestream" option.

Any wishing to honor Donna & her loving memory can make donations to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/donna-degoods-celebration-of-life