of Little Rock, AR
July 30, 1943 - April 22, 2023
Dona Robinette, recently of Batesville, AR was born in Little Rock on July 30, 1943. She transitioned to Heaven on April 22, 2023 in Searcy, AR. Dona is predeceased by her parents, Helen Pinkerton and Donovan Newell; a son, Tommy Forte; grandparents, Florence and Frank Beadle; uncles, Charles, Walter and Calvin Beadle and step-father, Thomas Robinette.
Dona is survived by her daughter, Jill Wiles (Shawn) of Melbourne, AR; son, Joe Forte (Leslie) of Fifty-Six, AR; son, John Forte of North Little Rock, AR; brother, Robert Newell of Boise, Idaho; sister, Susan Risker of Paragould, AR; sister, Barbara Graves (Dan) of Missouri; sister, Kathy Newell of Missouri; grandchild, Alexa Passmore (Cody) of Mountain View, AR; grandchild, Dennis Russell Thompson (Taylor) of Melbourne, AR; grandchild, Mary Higgs (Evan) of Heber Springs, AR; grandchild, Hannah Forte of Fifty-Six, AR; grandchild, Erin Forte of Fifty-Six, AR; great grandchildren, Evie, Quinn and Gemma Passmore all of Mountain View, AR and Riley Thompson of Melbourne, AR; cousins, Allan, David, Christy Beadle and June Brown (Charles) all of Little Rock.
Dona is also survived by long-term friends, Larry and Joann Duncan, Danny and Vicki Delamar and Carolyn Vance all of Sardis, AR. Friend, Jan Thompson (Curtis) of Cameron, Missouri and friends, Sonny and Shirley Garrison of Cabot, AR. The above are just a fraction of the people who touched Dona's life and had Dona touch their lives.
Dona graduated from Fuller High School (1962) and attended Draughon's Business College. Dona was a proud, long-term employee of the Arkansas State Police in Little Rock. She also conducted a Christian radio ministry, The Dona Robinette Show, on KMTL, with her cohost being the late Dewayne Graham. Dona was a life-long, devoted member of the Christian faith. She was a member of the Eastern Star and spent several formative years in California. She loved her family and friends, plants (master gardener), flowers, birds, soup and the Home Town Renovation Show (Ben and Erin.) It took very little to make mother happy.
She was a true survivor. We would like to thank Surgeon, Luke Edgecombe and the entire ICU staff at White River Medical Center in Batesville, AR. We would like to thank Advanced Care Sub-Acute Hospital (LTAC) in Searcy, AR. And finally, we would like to thank Dr. Kevin Roberts of the Little Rock Family Practice Clinic for his decades of dedicated service to Mom.
Mother will have a private burial sometime next week at Woods Cemetery in Little Rock. She will have a public visitation at Roller-Drummond Funeral Home in Little Rock (I-30) on Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 5:00pm until 8:00pm. In memory of Mom, those who are able, please consider planting a Butterfly Bush.
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18 Condolence(s)
Minister Kenny & Pat Fisher
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Met Dona while working at ASP she was blessing in our life she introduce Kenny to the the radio station that she was part of he enjoyed sharing the word of God to so, many across the country we thank GOD for Dona for this opportunity she loves family you guys are blessed to have had this precious lady in your life. May God Bless you & Keep you is our pray!
Emma Sue Thompson (Waddle)
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Dona, so sorry didn’t know u were ill. Soon you will be walking those streets of gold in heaven with our loved ones.
Love,
Your cousin,
Sue
Brenda Branscum
Friday, April 28, 2023
Jill my heart and prayers goes out to you, the kids, and the rest of your family. May the Lord keep your lifted up during your time of mourning. Love and peace sister.♥ï¸âœï¸
Ethel Sanders
Friday, April 28, 2023
I worked with Dona at State Police Headquarters. I always enjoyed our talks at lunch. She was a special lady. Prayers for peace and comfort for her family and friends! She is happy and in the arms of God now!
Miranda Buchanan Chouinard
Friday, April 28, 2023
This woman helped me emotionally through a terrible time in my life and always had encouraging words and an ear to listen. She wanted to go on a trip to Hannibal Missouri for her birthday years ago when we worked in ID Bureau together and I told her "I'll drive with you, let's go!" We had a blast visiting her home in FIfty-Six, Arkansas on our way to our destination and we made it to Mark Twains home there in Hannibal, many memories to hold dear. Prayers and love to the family!
Mary Jo Harbin
Friday, April 28, 2023
She was a wonderful lady. I enjoyed just being around her and talking with her at work. And of course laughing, if you were around her very long you were laughing with her. I knew her son John before I met Dona. He always talked about her with such love and respect and once I met her I knew why. I know she loved her family very much you could tell when she would tell us stories. And I know they will miss her. I know that I am proud to have known her. Sending prayers and hugs for her family. I loved your Mom too John.
Tonia Lawhon
Friday, April 28, 2023
Sending my deepest sympathies to Dona's family. I enjoyed working with Dona at ASP, had many good laughs and memories. She was a dear friend and a blessing to me! Rest in peace Dona. ðŸ™â¤forever in my heart
Amanda Paige
Thursday, April 27, 2023
I will miss you Aunt Donnie!!! I know you and momma are visiting each other now!
Jalonda Lane
Thursday, April 27, 2023
Rest well Ms. Donna, thank you for the laughs and encouraging words that you gave me. You will be missed. Sending thoughts and prayers to your children, grandchildren and the rest of the family.
June Brown
Thursday, April 27, 2023
We lived less than a mile from each other, but didn’t become close friends until about fifteen years ago. The smallest of things made her happy and content. She was a very private person but always ready to make you feel better about yourself. I loved her like a sister. My heart hurts because she’s gone but I will never forget the lessons about forgiving myself she taught me. See you soon my beautiful friend.
Jan & Curtis Thompson
Thursday, April 27, 2023
My dearest friend, I am so saddened for losing you, but I do KNW that you are with our Lord and Savior and I am praising Him for That!!
You were such a wonderful spiritual friend, sharing your love of Jesus and all of His precious promises with me and everyone one that you met. You taught me so much about life and love; and boy, did we have some times together; both good and bad, but through it all we knew that we had each other's back!! Sweet memories of our times together in Arkansas and so many years of phone calls. I love you, you will forever be remembered by SO MANY FRIENDS!!! Until we meet in heaven...
Billy Faye (Barker) Trammell
Thursday, April 27, 2023
So sorry for your loss of your Mother, sending prayers ðŸ™ðŸ™ðŸ™
Gary & Glenda Martin
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
We are so sorry to hear about Dona. We got aquainted with her and your dad when she worked in the Little Yellow House on the square. Then we would all sit in the yard there until sometimes 2:00 in the morning. The yard would be full of people. So many have gone on. Prayer's for her family. God Bless All of You.
Rozey Hurd
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
So sorry for your loss. The family will be in my thoughts and prayers
Mazie Lee
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Sorry to hear about your mother passing....... Jill...... I see that you favor her quiet a bit. She sounded like she was an interesting person. Did quiet a few different things in her life. I will pray for you and the family and friends.
Tina Meeker
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
So sorry for your loss Jill and family prayers for you all ! ðŸ™ðŸ™ðŸ™ðŸ™ðŸ™
Carolyn Vance
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Dona, I have been blessed to have you in my life for so long. You are one of only a few REAL friends that I have had in my lifetime. You have touched so many lives. You will be truly missed, but I know you are now snuggly in the arms of the one who will ease your pains. God bless you, my friend. I love you so much..
Janet Banister
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Love you all! I loved Dona! We had many great times at our annual cousin retreat!