Donna was my best friend. I am completely heartbroken that she is no longer with us in the physical world.  I have so many memories of us since the time we started middle school that I don’t know where to start. We fought so hard but loved each other like family. I’m going to miss those long walks for miles we would go on no matter what the weather, and talk for hours. I’m going to miss laying in the raft area at Lakeside and filling each other in on every detail of our lives over the last few days. Donna was truly one of a kind with a special, genuine heart that nobody else could replicate. Even when we were mad at each other and not talking, she was the first person I’d think of calling when something good (or bad) happened. She stopped by my house the day she died but I wasn’t there. I need to talk to her! I’m so happy she and Ray found each other and that kind of love only two true soulmates could  find in each other. She was there for me when I lost Ricky, my soulmate, the love of my life. She was there for me through everything. I lost my best friend and I need her now to help me through it.  

Dear Donna,
I lost my daughter this morning. It is so hard for me to believe my little blonde headed angel is no longer with us.
Her Daddy must have come to take her home under direction of Our LORD. My human heart says, Why now ?
Donna had met the love of her life, Ray Shain, he loved her too. I loved to watch and listen to her talk about him. That smile and those twinkling eyes were something else. 
She would call me almost every day and talk about what happened that day on her way home from school. 
I miss you so much my Donna.
I know not what your spiritual life holds for you but you are so multitalented with degrees galore..... teacher, accountant, and psychologist. The Lord will make good use of you in Heaven.
I love and miss you. You are in my heart forever.
Love you,
Mom


I have so many fond memories of Donna. 
I think one of my favorite earliest memories was her coming over to our house when we were about 6. We had just moved into a new house and she and my sister and I had been playing downstairs and we were marching around the bathtub and we got tired and everyone sat down. One of us broke the soap dish off the wall!  I could go on and on...
I remember when she found out that she could shave her dog. She was so excited! It was one of those GIRL! Moments 
She was a joy to be around. She always made me laugh. I can hear her saying “girl, you know it! “  she offered to come help me when we moved this past July.  She brought her baby gate that she used for the dogs ( her babies) for us to use until we got one so that the grand baby would be safe. She got there and said ok what can I do?! I said well I really need to clean and she looked at me kind of sheepishly and said girl you know that’s really not my thing, but since it’s you I will try.  She made cleaning fun. And she really enjoyed seeing Barry that day. She laughed and said “ girl I see why you need that gate!” 
It got really hot upstairs with people in and out the AC couldn’t keep up. She called Ray ( so thankful they found each other! He was THE one 💗 and has the same big heart she did) and had him bring us a fan. She was always willing to help and do what she could to make things better for others. She had a big heart and she always gave of herself and her time. 
She and Ray helped us set up tents for our daughters wedding. That was such a blessing!  We did several bible studies together and I love that she enjoyed them:) 
We adopted from foster care and Donna was a great source of encouragement as well good information and suggestions. She was always checking in on us to see how everything was going. I miss her greatly. She wasn’t just my cousin she was my friend. A wonderful friend who will be forever missed. 💗

Donna and I met through her aunt Annette when she joined our Bunco group.  She was a great fit with all of us and we shared life’s ups and downs,  lots of laughs sometimes tears but always lots of love.    Even after we no longer played Bunco, Donna and I still kept in touch.  Donna was such a sweet, caring and loving person.  She loved her life with Ray, her dogs and their home.  I will truly miss her.

I met Donna this year when I joined the ECE team at Dixie Elementary.  Although I’ve only known  her for a few months, I can say she was very passionate about her students.  As others have said she spent her own money buying them treats and rewards.  She was an experienced part of our team and will truly be missed! 

I met Donna at Dixie Elementary while volunteering in Leigh Ann Mckown’s class when my granddaughter was in 1st grade! She was the sweetest person! I was telling her about how bad my nails were chipping & peeling after deciding to not do the acrylic nails any more. She was telling me about a product to use & the next time I saw her, she had bought that product & gave it to me to see if it would help! My one grandson Manny loved her! He said she was the best! RIP Donna! You are missed! 

I shared a room with Donna 2 years ago so I got to know her a little better. One thing that amazed me was her generosity towards her students. She often spent her own money to buy them treats and even a gift card every now and then. One student in particular had a grandma who was dying of cancer and couldn’t afford to pay her bills. Donna and Ray called LG & E to find out the debt owed. I was so moved by their generosity I joined in to help. Donna and Ray took care of the bill and subsequent bills. She really did make a connection and care about her students. I’m glad I got to know that side of her.

Donna has an amazing sense of humor, and could make everyone around her laugh so easily. She was a fighter who conquered everything in her path, and could do it all with a smile on.
I just have a hard time believing this is real.
I took this photo on graduation day from Seneca High, June 1988. Red and gold forever.......

Donna is my cousin, and her loss has been felt throughout our whole family. She and Ray were there to help out during the set up of my wedding, and I am so thankful that they were able to be a part of that wonderful day. In the last few years I’ve enjoyed seeing her more often than normal, as she and my mom rekindled their friendship. 

When I received the news, I was immediately devastated, and completely shocked. Every time I saw her, she was so happy to help out and be a part of whatever was going on. I’m going to miss her greatly, but knowing I’ll see her again makes things somewhat easier. Rest In Peace, Donna, and know we miss you. <3  

Donna is my beautiful niece! Loosing her has left a hole in our hearts that will never be filled. She has always been there for my family.  As my children grew, they  always knew Donna was someone they could turn to.  She often told me of her appreciation for us being there for her.  We loved her very much.  When Ray came into her life to love her as no other, we knew she was truly happy.  I know she is heaven looking down on us still with her care and concern for those she loved.  


I met Donna over 20 years ago when we were both UL grad students. Our instant friendship endured throughout the years. We were movie buddies, Scrabble rivals, and teacher confidants. We could go years between seeing each other or months without talking, but we could always pick up easily where we left off. She was just that kind of forever friend. Donna was someone who wore her heart on her sleeve and shared her heart willingly, a very kind, genuine soul. I will miss her friendship SO very much. RIP Donnaroo. 

When I subbed as bookkeeper at Dixie, Donna made me feel so welcome.  She came in almost every day to talk to me.  Such a sweet person.

Last year, I was struggling so badly with the recent death of my husband. Each day, Donna would bring me a blueberry or banana nut muffin with a coffee or a bottled water. She was always there for me, especially when I felt there was no way that I could go on.  At Christmas, she gave me a beautiful electronic Christmas ornament. I treasure it and always will. I will never meet another friend with the amount of kindness and depths of empathy that she possessed. She will forever live in my heart and mind. She truly made a difference in this world and is tremendously missed. 

When I first met Donna I could tell that she was an amazing, genuinely humble and beautiful woman. I knew this because she had a smile that reached her eyes. 
I’m not sure if most people know what that means....but to me smiling with your eyes is hard to fake. She smiled like that every time we saw one another. To me she was the epitome of what a human being should be....a genuinely beautiful soul. She will be missed terribly.... but I have faith that we will see her once again. I’m praying for her family during their time of grief. 
❤️


OBITUARIO

Donna Ruth Hedgespeth

21 octubre, 1970 – 18 diciembre, 2019

Arch L. Heady at Resthaven & Resthaven Memorial Park

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