Donna was born on September 11, 1931 in Bay City, Michigan, to Benjamin and Pearl (Bedell) Paige. As a young mother, Donna chose to be a stay-at-home mom, investing into the lives of her children. She entered the workforce, in real estate, in the mid-70s.
On May 24, 1952 Donna Mae Paige married James Neal McRae (deceased 11, October, 2019). James and Donna raised four children, and are survived by: Betsy Karr, Bob McRae (Melisa), Bill McRae, and Barry McRae. In addition, James and Donna have six grandchildren: Kris Karr (Jennifer), Naperville, IL; Brian Karr (Heather), Vestavia, AL; Lauren Pearson (Nick), Chelsea, AL; Jerrod McRae (Stephanie), Chelsea, AL; Meghan Byrd (Brandon), Vestavia, AL; and Brittany McRae, Cleveland, TN. James and Donna also have eight great-grandchildren: Ashlyn Acker (Pearson), Kinsley Acker (Pearson), Clara Karr, Alex Karr, Katelyn Karr, Ava James Byrd... and another Byrd on the way, Brianna Hamer (McRae), and Corbin James (CJ) Hamer (McRae); and sister-in-laws Robin Dennis, Boston, MA , Beverly Paige, Bay City, MI, and Shirley Herring, Leesburg, FL. Additionally, there are 3 generations of nieces and nephews in Bay City, Michigan, and Boston, Massachusetts. All grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many other friends and family, simply know Donna as "Gammy".
Donna's entire life has been focused on her marriage to James, and love for her family. Everyone that knows or has met Donna immediately comments on her constant cuddling and handholding with her husband, James. For 67 years, James and Donna have perfectly modeled love and devotion to each other; commitment to their marriage, and focus on the family.
Donna would likely tell us to not grieve for her, as she is simply enjoying her "Honey" (James McRae, recently deceased). Her death is the beginning of a new chapter in their eternal love story. Please form the mental picture of them embracing once again.
Gammy's legacy is the unbridled love for her family. This obituary is intentionally written in the present tense, as her legacy lives on. The last few months with Gammy have been precious, as family members have surrounded her daily to laugh, tell stories, share memories, and simply to love her.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband, James McRae (Jimmy Neal McRae), her father, Benjamin Paige, her mother, Pearl Bedell Dennis, and step-father, Gerald Dennis; four siblings: Robert Paige (Bob), Violet Dennis Sylvester (Vi), Ester Dennis Nichols, and Gerald Dennis (Jerry).
A funeral service will be held on 29, February, 2020, at 2pm, at Elmwood Chapel, 800 Dennison Av SW, Birmingham, AL 35211. Visitation will be prior to the funeral service, from 1pm to 2pm. Graveside service will follow, with burial at Elmwood Cemetery.
