Donna Jean Small Travis was born January 8, 1953, in Hardinsburg, Kentucky. She passed from this life on Friday October 11, 2024.
She was preceded in death by her father, Arnold R. Small and one brother, Gary Ross Small.
She is survived by her husband, Randolph Travis, her son, Adam Travis (Audrey LeTourneau), her daughter, Ellen Travis McGrath (Sean McGrath), Four grandchildren, Owen Patrick McGrath, Joanna Freda McGrath, Alice June McGrath, Mabel Cynthia Travis, her mother, Freda Blair, and her brother Keith Small (Bettye Skillman).
Donna was baptized into Christ: January, 1970. She was a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ all her life,
active in church wherever she lived. She served as a Sunday school teacher, mentor, encourager, small group Bible teacher. Her longest association was at the Pennyrile Church of Christ in Madisonville, Kentucky for some 4 decades.
She and her Husband, Randy were married on June 3, 1978, and treasured their relationship for 47 years and as husband and wife for 46 years. They worked alongside each other as soulmates, parents, church workers, business partners, confidantes, and took pride in being each other’s best friend.
She worked for 17 years as a high school teacher in the different locales in which she lived. She was
employed as a teacher by Paris Ky. City Schools, Fayette Co. Ky. Schools, Anderson County Ky. Schools, Campbell Co. Ky. Schools, and lastly at Hopkins Co. Ky. Schools.
She resigned her teaching position in 1993 to spend more time with her kids but soon found herself serving as a payroll and accounts payable bookkeeper in the family business. This was her part time employment for 26 years until she retired in 2019.
During those 26 years she became active in the Madisonville chapter of Ky. Federation of Women’s Clubs, holding both local and state offices in that organization. But her proudest claim to fame was her role as mother and grandmother. She devoted herself to being the fun Grand-mommy. She regarded it as her crown achievement in a life filled with many such achievements. She would convince the grandchildren that even the most mundane errand or daily chore was an “ADVENTURE.” And she was so enthusiastic in selling the idea that they too always knew that a day with Grand-mommy meant many “ADVENTURES.”
Donna had the adoration and love of her husband, who enjoyed her cheerful and bubbly personality. She was an encourager, a listening ear, a transparent soul, and a humble servant of the Lord. She will be sorely missed by Randy, Adam, Ellen, and her grandchildren. But they are comforted knowing she is in the presence of our Lord Jesus, resting from her labors here and ready to take on her new heavenly responsibilities.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at the Dermitt Funeral Home 306 West Main Street in Leitchfield, KY. at 1:00 p.m.
Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday October 19, 2024 beginning at 11:00 a.m. until time of service at 1:00 p.m.
Online condolences can be made in her guestbook at www.dermittfuneralhome.com.
