Donna Clairmont Burt

Donna lived to see her first birthday, and all that followed, because of the love of her grandfather. As an infant, she contracted pneumonia and was sure to die. Her grandfather fed her with an eyedropper and cared for her around the clock for several days until she was on the mend. Her lungs were compromised from this point, and she finally succumbed to these early injuries 90 years later.

Healed through love so young, love permeated her character and her life. The eldest of six children and born in Moline, Illinois in 1927, she always had an important role in her family and was a steadfast pillar. She liked to tell the story of one regret: being “so nasty to Mother” at age 14 when she learned of the pending arrival of little sister Debbie. Donna didn’t think there were enough resources for another sibling. But Donna loved Debbie fiercely from the moment she was born, and they have had a special and close relationship their whole lives. Donna later became the matriarch of her large extended family, and had earned the place through her years of love and support. Many of her siblings, at various points, found respite in her home for varying lengths of time. Her home and her heart were always open.

As a young newlywed, she moved to Brookhaven and later Jackson, Mississippi. She and her first husband, Wayne Krug, had three sons. Donna became a single mother to these three (then) difficult boys, and was resourceful in raising them. Even in times of great hardship, she sacrificed so that her children were always well clothed and never missed a meal, no matter how plain. Drawing great strength from her faith in Jesus, she guided her sons with love and care: firm, undoubted, and endless. She worked two jobs for over a decade, and her church family helped her a great deal. However hard her way, she never compromised her integrity or her faith. She rose to the level of Office Manager at K-Mart before retiring.

Donna’s life changed again when her air conditioner failed. Larry Burt was sent by a mutual friend to have a look at it. He had been diagnosed with cancer and given mere months to live. Donna and he fell in love, married, and had nearly two decades of love together, the happiest of both their lives. They traveled much of the US, Europe, and Australia, often visiting family. He credited his longevity to the transformative power of love, specifically, the love of Donna.

Always eager to be busy and to help others, Donna volunteered in ESL programs and as a docent with the Mississippi Arts Museum in Jackson after Larry’s passing.

Donna passed peacefully in her home, surrounded by her sons and daughters-in-law, to join her beloved husband Larry in a better world.

She is remembered for her steadfast devotion and great love for her family, as a woman of generous heart, kindness, patience, and unwavering faith in God.

She is survived by her sons, Bill Krug and wife Alice, Gary Krug and wife Maggie, and Jeff Krug and wife Twink; grandchildren Tyler Krug and wife Shanti, Chase Krug and wife Rebecca, Lance Krug, and Lanie Krug; great grandson Will; siblings Dick Clairmont and wife Gail, David Votaw and wife Gayle, Deborah Moore and husband Bill, beloved sister-in-law Maryann Clairmont (and preceded in death by brother Duane), and Douglas Votaw and wife Ann; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews; and dear friends, including especially Frances Fowler, Anna Hayes, Ann and Howard Holt, and her Vestavia Hills Baptist Church family.

Funeral services will be held Monday, August 28 at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church. Visitation will be at 2 p.m. with services at 3 p.m. The graveside service will be at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at Lakewood Memorial Park in Clinton, Mississippi, where Donna will be interred next to Larry.

The family would like to thank Hope Hospice for their caring and professional service in Donna’s last months.