I lived next door to Donna and Greg  for 20 years.   Donna  would frequently come over and sit on my front porch and we  would enjoy the evening  laughing  and sharing  life concerns.  As recently as a few weeks ago, she asked about a family member and said she still prays for him.  Donna loved people  and people loved her.  We used to go the the movies together and she showed me how you toss a bag of M&M's into a  bag of popcorn and it begins to melt the chocolate. You would get a taste of  "sweet and salty" as she would say!  To this day I still do that and think of her.  To the Upchurch and  Harrison families,  you lost a lovely wife, mother, daughter and sister...... and for that I am sad. 
 Rest in peace sweet friend. 
 Love you Donna!

My heart goes out to the family for Donna Upchurch. I met Donna at Pasadena High School. Such a good art teacher and she loved her students. 

My thoughts and prayers are with you,
Teresa Chase

So sorry for your families loss. I have fond memories of all the times that I was able to spend with Donna and her family growing up.  I wish I had been able to attend the class reunion and visit with her.

I met and became friends with Donna at Kruse Elementary keeping up that friendship thru the years at Jackson Intermediate and Pasadena High where we both graduated at mid-term in January 1973. I had not seen her until the 50 year PHS Reunion. When Donna came in, several of us rushed to see her. We had such fun talking and laughing. Donna was feisty, courageous, and so sweet. She would stand up for her friends and stand her ground on any cause, concept or idea she felt was right. She loved her family and so proud of her daddy, John Ray Harrison Sr., former mayor of Pasadena, state representative, lawyer, judge with accomplishments a mile long. After the reunion I was so looking forward to keeping touch with Donna. My heart goes out to her family. Donna is now the cutest, sweetest, brightest little Angel in Heaven. 
                 Kathy Walker Stewart

In the late 70s Donna joined the faculty at Jackson Intermediate and increased the number of former students who were teaching there. We were a dedicated but lively group who loved getting together to commiserate as well as celebrate our professional and personal lives. For forty plus years we have remained fast friends. But sadly, we have lost a member who has had us literally rolling on the floor from convulsive laughter to hoots and hollers to raise the dead! Donna was a master story teller. You could always tell when a certain group was gathered in the lounge from the raucous laughter escaping the closed door. Donna and I would often try to best one another with a “You won’t believe what happened …” story whether it was something that happened in the classroom, on the way to work, or recounting family stories once many of us married and had children. I will miss her laughter and her steadfast desire to make a difference, no matter how small, in the lives of those she met along the way in as a daughter, sister, teacher, wife, mother, and for most of us, a beloved friend.

I know family was of the utmost priority for Donna. She loved taking care of her “Boys.”  She also loved her siblings, was proud of them and of being a part of a large family.  Her parents were a source of great joy and pride also.  She spoke of every one of you fondly, lovingly and often. I cannot imagine the hole her passing has left in your lives. I am praying each of you may know God’s loving comfort during this most difficult of life’s transitions. May you feel His presence and His peace that surpasses all understanding.

My deepest sympathies to the Harrison and Upchurch families. Donna and I had something in common, our Dad's both attended McMurry University in Abilene, TX. I grew up  near Abilene until we moved to Pasadena in 1967.  Who would've thought Donna and I would be classmates at Pasadena High. It was great that she was able to join us at our 50th class reunion and very sad to learn of her passing. May she rest in eternal peace.

Please accept my sincere condolences in the loss of sweet Donna. I knew Donna from Jackson Intermediate days through our graduation from Pasadena High School. She exhibited kindness with her beautiful smile and friendly personality to everyone she met. Donna will be missed by many. Prayers for her family at this sad time.

Betty Todd Haskins

Donna was a wonderful family friend.  I will always remember her smile and her witty personality. She was a true friend through thick and thin.  Donna would always listen but would never sugar-coat her advice or opinion.  I don't know anyone who represented Pasadena better than Donna.  Her Family heritage ran deep and strong .  Her father John Ray and her mother Barbara raised a wonderful daughter full of morals, values and love, as well as their other daughters and sons, who have all grown up to be exemplary citizens.  Donna dedicated her life to teaching in the Pasadena School District and only recently retired.  She gave it her all.  We will all miss Donna, there will never be anyone like her.

OBITUARY

Donna Lynn Upchurch

January 23, 1955 – October 22, 2023

Forest Park East Funeral Home & Cemetery

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