Donna Sue Davidson

Donna Sue Davidson, 89 years old, passed from her earthly home into the arms of Jesus on the evening of April 17, 2024.

She was born to Alva & Margaret (Rice) Leathers in Kaseyville, MO. Donna graduated from Clifton Hill High School, class of 1953, where she was a girls basketball player and cheerleader for the boy’s team. 

She caught the eye of the love of her life, Andrew (Jack) Davidson, while working as Mr. Shephard’s personal secretary and bookkeeper for several of his radio stations.  Jack worked in the same building selling insurance.  He asked her on a date to go to watch stock car races in Marshall and the rest was history.  They were married on Jack’s birthday, April 16, 1960. She fought hard to be with him to celebrate their 64th wedding anniversary the day before her passing.

After having their two children, Donna went back to work at Commerce Bank.  She retired from there after over 20 years as a Personal Banking Representative.

Donna’s greatest loves were the members of her family, and she was able to create lasting memories with them doing the activities that brought her joy.  She loved traveling and the family was blessed to have built many memories on the road going to several states or traveling abroad.  Jack and she made a trip to Alaska in 2018 and that completed her visit to all 50 states, a goal she was delighted to have accomplished.   She was so proud of her grandchildren and some of her favorite trips were those to their events.  She never missed a state or national baton twirling competition, or dance recital.  She watched many baseball games from t-ball to the college world series and even cooked her specialty fried chicken for the baseball families during a week in Cooperstown. 

She loved sports in general, especially basketball and went to as many of the Moberly Greyhound games as she could.  Donna always looked forward to her trips to Hutchison, KS, because her birthday fell during the tournament.  Last year, she even delayed treatments so she could make her final trip.

Donna had many qualities.  It’s hard to put into words how amazing she was, as to know her was to love her.   She was full of compassion and very forgiving.  Her kind heart and generosity were known by many, and she always knew the perfect gift or card to give to brighten someone’s day.  She loved taking pictures and sharing them with people and captured many moments in those photos that will allow her memory and beautiful smile, which she kept until the end, to live on in many hearts.  Her purse was always heavy with many pictures of her family that she made sure to share with anyone she ran into.  She especially had many of her Great-Granddaughter.

Donna was loved by many and was happiest when surrounded by family, friends, or those in the community.  She was amazing cook and loved sharing that talent with others.  There was always a home cooked meal for anyone that walked through her door.  Her favorite activities were playing cards with friends or her grandkids, working in the garden, attending live musical performances, shopping for the perfect outfit for any occasion or a gift to celebrate a moment in someone’s life. 

Donna was very active in her community.  For many years she was a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She was an Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce and enjoyed a good ribbon cutting.  Donna was also a greeter at Cater Funeral Home and comforted those in their time of need.

Most importantly, Donna was a person of faith.  She was a member of the Coates Street Presbyterian Church.  We are comforted knowing she is with her Lord and Savior and no longer in pain. 

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, and sister Karen Lou Rice.  She is survived by Husband, Jack Davidson, of the home.  Daughters Jacki Davidson, Columbia, Jennifer (Jeff) Alexander of Columbia.  Grandchildren Jacob (Megan) Alexander and Great-granddaughter Frances of Camdenton. Jacy (Blake) Ramsey of California, MO.  Bonus Granddaughter Rachel Grant, Columbia.  She also leaves behind brother in-laws Gregg (Dixie) Davidson and Barry Davidson, and several nieces and nephews.  She will be missed by many but remembered lovingly by all.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, in honor of Donna Davidson, 4400 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63110 or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.  Local contributions can be made to Coates Street Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 601 West Coates St., Moberly, MO 65270.

Words of comfort and support were shared with the family at a visitation held at the Cater Funeral Home.  Funeral services honoring and celebrating Donna's life were held in the Cater Funeral Home Chapel. Committal prayer and burial took place in the Oakland Cemetery Moberly, MO