Every once in a while, you meet someone who starts out as a stranger but becomes so much more — a close friend, even family. That’s exactly what happened when I met my dear friend Donna.
Donna was one of the very first people I met when I moved to Tallahassee and started attending church back in 2015. From the moment we connected, she welcomed me with open arms. Donna was a true connector — she had a gift for bringing people together, making everyone feel seen, cared for, and valued.
She embodied the true meaning of friendship. If you ever had a need, Donna made sure you were taken care of. And if she couldn’t be there personally, she would find a way to send help. It was one of the many qualities I deeply admired about her — so much so that I started adopting that spirit myself.
I loved and appreciated Donna, and she knew it. We were always there for each other, through good times and hard times. Our bond was special, a sisterhood formed by love, trust, and faith.
Donna was also a true servant of the Lord, faithfully living out her calling until the very end. She reminded me of a hymn I learned as a child:
“O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me, my Master and my Friend.”
That was Donna — a servant, a friend, an angel among us. I am forever grateful to have known her. Rest on, my dear friend. Your light and your love will never be forgotten.