In Memory and Honor of a most wonderful Lady-A woman of distinction
There wasn’t a day we didn’t talk multiple times; most of every weekend was spent together, & we went on some great trips. She could fix anything, Charles Stokley & I often said, if you can’t figure out how to do it, call Donna. She took wonderful care of her mom, loved all her family, & she took good care of me through some illness, surgeries, & a few injuries, and a super #70 birthday celebration! Donna loved playing bridge, bunco & she was so thankful for her wonderful neighbors. Loved her dogs, & her immaculately kept yard.
But I felt the highest & best way to honor her was through God’s Word, & I hope you will see Donna’s attributes, as I do, in these verses I picked out.
Proverbs 31:10, Who can find a virtuous woman. A woman with strength, valiant, strong, and courageous, efficient, and I submit, demonstrates the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22,23… For her worth is far above rubies or precious stones.
V. 13 She willingly works with her hands. Donna was one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever known. Her comment many times during the week to me was..are you going to sell something today? Laziness was not part of her spirit!
V. 16 She considers a field-“I added investment properties”-and buys them, & from the fruit of her profits she plants a vineyard. In the Word of God, the harvest time was a period of hard work and great rejoicing. The enjoyment of the “vineyard” was a blessing of God: When we understand the vineyard and what it symbolizes in God’s Word, we can see it even more in Donna’s life.
V. 17 She girds & clothes herself with strength, and she strengthens her arms. Donna was one of the strongest people I’ve known, and that was in spirit, soul, & mind.
V. 20 She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. Just a few-Mission Arl. Various Church outreach programs, and many other individuals whom Donna helped. Key word-GENEROUS
V. 25 Strength, honor, glory, and dignity are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. I submit that even though Donna lived and exhibited this here on earth, her fullness of rejoicing came when she was ushered into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus!
V. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, & on her tongue is the law of kindness or, “strength,” “steadfastness,” and “love.”
V. 27 She watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. David Stout said about Donna regarding how she was never idle, she’s my hero!
V. 30 Charm is deceitful, & beauty passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
V. 31 Give her the fruit of her hands & let her own works praise her in the gates.
Donna prayed, of course, for her family, but also for her many friends, that you all would come to know Jesus as your Lord and savior & that you would come to have a “personal relationship” with Jesus. I hope that you do!
I was always glad Donna and Cara got to know each other before Cara passed away, but now I know they have eternity to know each other. I miss them so much & I look forward to seeing them both again. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18



Jody Kautz 12:04 PM on February 24, 2026 Permalink |
Steve, I shared this on our Connect the Dots. I wish there was more I could say or do to help you through this difficult time. I pray for you – for healing, peace and comfort. I have been where you are and I understand the hole this leaves in your heart. Trust God, Steve, he’s got this.
Steve Young 12:08 PM on February 24, 2026 Permalink |
Thank you so much. Been through this with all my family, Cara being the last, but this one has been very hard in many different ways. As you mentioned, you sure have been there and we must fill any and all holes in oour heart with Jesus, the living and abiding Word of God!
Steve Young 12:10 PM on February 24, 2026 Permalink |
Took me a little to find the picture of us with the Rigby’s in Coloradr but found! One of my favorite pics!