of England, AR

April 7, 1934 - August 30, 2024

Donna Patterson VanDalsen, age 90, changed her address to her Heavenly home, August 30, 2024. Donna was born on April 7, 1934 to parents, Don Hutto Patterson and Myrtle Griswood Patterson. She was the youngest of 7 children.
She was raised in Biscoe, Arkansas, except for a short relocation to Dermott, AR, where she made a profession of faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ at age 11 at Bellaire Baptist Church.
Donna graduated from DeValls Bluff High School in 1952 and married J.W. Carter shortly after. They had 4 sons and 1 daughter. Her young family moved around a lot and the first thing she would do was find a church home. Her faith was the anchor of her life and she strived to pass that on to her children.
Besides being a mother, Donna had various jobs in her life: Bookkeeper, payroll clerk, florist and salesperson. Her longest employment for 15 yrs was at the J.W. Benafield Co in England, AR, where she met her second husband, Brice VanDalsen. They married on Aug. 1984 and were married until his death in Jan. 2008.
Donna's many hobbies and interests included family gatherings, her church, growing and arranging flowers, hummingbirds, crocheting, knitting, needlepoint, reading, cooking and playing the piano. From 1968-1984, she was the church organist at Toltec Baptist Church in Scott, AR. She also sang in the choir and taught children's bible classes. Her butterscotch brownies and homemade rolls were expected at the yearly family reunion in Biscoe. Donna could read music but could also play the piano by ear. She could hear a song and have it figured out in minutes. But, she was most known for playing boogie woogie music. Her hands would fly across the keys and she would have everyone's feet tapping. Donna was always the life of the party. You could hear her booming laugh and know she was in the room. She was also known for her love of big earrings and bangle bracelets!
Donna was preceded in death by her aforementioned parents and husband; her siblings, James F. Patterson, Mae Fem Biggs, Don Patterson, Jr, Fletcher Patterson, Mary Ann Luebke Danley and her twin infant brother, John Allen Patterson.
She is survived by her children, John Carter, Bradford, AR, Jeff Carter, Jr, Lexa, AR, Janna Carter Terry (Tony), Hot Springs Village, AR, Joe Carter (Deniese), England, AR, Don Carter, Keo, AR and two bonus children, Darren VanDalsen (Vena), Stuttgart, AR and Sandra Strain (Sam), Mayflower, AR; 7 grandchildren; 4 bonus grandchildren; many great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren and also many loving nieces and nephews.
A special thanks is extended to Greenwood Manor and most recently, Mt Carmel Memory Care in Hot Springs Village, for the care and love they showed Donna the past 3 1/2 years and also to Arkansas Hospice, for the care they gave the last month of her life. Nurse, Alicia Sinclair, you will always be our hero.
Funeral services will be held at Roller England Funeral Home in England, AR on Saturday, September 7th. Visitation will be at 10:00am and the funeral will follow at 11:00am.
Burial will follow the services at Lone Tree Cemetery in Stuttgart, AR.

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