Donahue Stephens

On Thursday, June 15, 2023, Donahue Stephens, husband and father, entered eternal life at the age of 79. His legacy is carried on through his four children, eight grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

Donahue was born on November 1, 1943 in Miami, FL to James and Emmie Ruth (Mathis) Stephens, Sr. He is a proud graduate of North Dade Junior/Senior High’s class of 1961. Donahue enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in Miami, FL in 1962 and was stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina before serving in the Vietnam War. He was discharged honorably in 1966 having received a National Defense Service Medal, Rifle Sharpshooter Badge, Good Conduct Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal. After his military service, Donahue returned to Miami, FL and married Gloria Annette Dixon, of Sanford, FL. Donahue worked for both Eastern Airlines and American Airlines before achieving an award-winning career in sales at Circuit City Stores. He also served his hometown with heart as a City of Miami Gardens Code Enforcement Officer under Mayor Shirley Gibson’s administration (his school classmate).

After retirement, Donahue moved to Ellenwood, GA where he hosted friends and family at home, rooted for the Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, and Miami Hurricanes, baked pound cakes and cobblers, maintained an immaculate lawn and thriving houseplants, traveled internationally, attended military reunions, smoked a cigar now and then, collected all kinds of gadgets, and served in the Usher Ministry at World Covenant Christian Center in Covington, GA. And all the while donned the latest and the best in fashion as always.

Donahue is survived by his wife of almost 53 years, Gloria, and children and grandchildren who he adored: Donna (husband Cleveland Franklin, Sr., children Cleveland, Jr.); Corey (wife Sara (Selinas), children Brandon, Jordan, and Cameron); Ni Kal (husband Brian Price, children Amyrah, Nevin, and Quenton); and Denart (children Makya); siblings John David, Verna (Powell), Annette (Cross), Wellington, Edward; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and other family too numerous to list but not forgotten. Donahue is predeceased by his father, James Sr., his mother, Emmie Ruth, his brother James Jr., and his sister Gladys (Louden).

A visitation of family and friends for Donahue will be held Saturday, July 1, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Horis A. Ward - Fairview Chapel, 376 Fairview Rd, Stockbridge, Georgia 30281, followed by a celebration of life at 1:00 PM.A brief military committal will be held on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 promptly at 11:00 AM at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218.