Donna Goodman Lanning

Donna Elizabeth Goodman Lanning of Hampton, Virginia departed this life on September 20, 2026, at the age of 90. Born in Salisbury, North Carolina, Donna graduated from East Spencer High School in 1954. Donna married Melvin and taking a leap of faith in 1966, they moved with three young children to begin a new life in Hampton, Virginia.

Donna and Melvin shared just shy of 72 years of marriage. After retiring, Donna and Melvin traveled together in their motorhome (with their poodle) cross-country two times - stopping along the way to visit with friends and family. They spent winters in Florida with the other “snow birds,” meeting up with family and reconnecting with friends they had met in previous years to enjoy the warmer weather.

Donna is a former member of Union Lutheran Church in Salisbury, North Caroline and a current member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. She enjoyed reading, newspaper word searches, sewing, Red Hat, gardening and camping. She especially enjoyed relaxing in her recliner watching every episode of Outlander and chatting on the phone with her many camping club and Red Hat ladies, former co-workers, and family. Donna subscribed to and loved to read cooking magazines but did not like to cook and eagerly agreed to go out for meals because it was one less meal she had to cook.

Donna is survived by her 3 children, Keith Lanning (Sheri), Melanie Harris (Bobby), Gwyn Gridley (Scott), 5 grandchildren & 5 great-grandchildren, her sister Janet Overcash (Vernon), sister-in-law Ruth Goodman, brothers Dennis (Brenda) and Neil (Vanessa) Goodman.

Donna was predeceased in May by her husband, Melvin, her parents JM and Ruby Goodman and brother Kent Goodman.

May she rest in eternal peace.

A service to honor and celebrate Donna’s life will be held at 2 pm on October 8, 2026, at Parklawn Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N Armistead Ave, Hampton, VA 23666. In lieu of flowers, Donna has requested that donations be made to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 757-851-2504.