Donna Williams Orkin

Although Donna was born in Atlanta, GA, a true Georgia Peach, she spent most of her childhood in Huntsville, AL, with a short detour through Philadelphia, PA in her very early years. She graduated from Huntsville High School in 1967. She graduated from the University of Alabama in 1971 with a major in accounting. This was somewhat of an accomplishment as very few women studied accounting at that time.

In fact, one of her professors suggested that perhaps she should be studying some other major, like teaching or home economics.

She met her future husband on a blind date while at the University of Alabama. They dated for six years and ended up being married for 51 years beginning in May of 1974.

After college Donna went back to Atlanta and worked as an accountant for Ethan Allen Furniture Stores until 1973. She then was employed as a regional auditor for the Atlanta office of Housing & Urban Development and later worked as a loan management officer in the Jackson office of HUD.

In 1978, after the birth of her first son, she devoted herself to full-time motherhood and the birth of two more sons. She was involved in cub scouts, PTA, their religious education and substitute teaching during this time. Later she worked as a teacher for Beth Israel Nursery School, JPS and was employed by Junor Achievement of MS for almost 10 years. She also worked with her husband to establish Orkin Property Management, LLC. In 1984 she started Donna's Designs, a floral design business, and continued individual and personal service to clients until 2018.

Donna shared her many talents with the community and less fortunate cooking for Meals on Wheels, Beth Israel Synagogue, volunteering with Stewpot and the Salvation Army. She was a member of Community Children's Theater where she painted sets, sewed costumes and performed on stage. She also was a member of the Beth Israel Choir.

She is survived by her husband, Theodore (Ted) Stanley Orkin, Jr. and sons Theodore Stanley (Stan) Orkin III (Naomi), Kevin Clark Orkin (Jenny), Jeffrey Reese Orkin (Julia) and five grandchildren.

A visitation will be held on February 12, 2026, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am at Parkway Funeral Home, located at 1161 Highland Colony Pkwy, Ridgeland, MS 39157. Following the visitation, a funeral service will take place at the same location, beginning at 10:00 am. The graveside service will take place at Beth Israel Cemetery, North State Street at Marshall Street, Jackson, MS 39211, from 11:15 am to 11:45 am on February 12, 2026.

Memorial contributions to Mississippi Animal Rescue League (MARL) 5221Greenway Drive Ext, Jackson, MS 39204, or Stewpot Community Services, P.O. Box 3610, Jackson, MS 39207 are appreciated.