Donna Kaye Aebly Catlett Hill, age 73, of Cabot, Arkansas passed on Thursday, October 14, 2021. She was born on July 22, 1948 in Helena, Arkansas to DeWitt and Nina Bullard Aebly.
She graduated from Central High School in Helena in 1966. Donna graduated with the first graduating class of Phillips County Community College in 1968 and Arkansas State University in 1970. Also, in 1970 she married Gary Catlett. They were married for thirty-six years.
Donna led a full life of service, teaching for one year at Marvell Jr. High, three-and-a-half years at Jacksonville Junior High North, and 27-½ years at Jacksonville High School. After retirement, she deployed on several Arkansas Southern Baptist Disaster Relief efforts, volunteered with the Jacksonville Police Department as a chaplain, tutored at the Jacksonville Boys and Girls Club, and mentored in the Our Kids Read program at Bayou Meto Elementary.
On April 6, 2013 she married William R. “Bill” Hill.
Donna is survived by her husband Bill Hill; sons Kevin Catlett (Jana) of Hot Springs, and Grant Catlett (Krystle) of San Antonio, Texas; stepdaughter Cheryl Rhodes Davis of North Little Rock, Arkansas; grandchildren Malorie Magby (Spencer), Avery Catlett, Gage Catlett, Robert Davis, Colton Davis, Isaiah Contreras, and Benjamin Contreras; a multitude of nieces, nephews, and sisters-and brothers-in-law.
A special thank you to her Soul Sisters, the Sonshine Sunday School Class, Dr. Keith Fournier of MD Anderson in Houston, and Dr. Diane Wilder at CARTI.
Visitation will be held at Second Baptist Church, 1117 N. James St., Jacksonville, AR 72076, on Thursday, October 21, 2021 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Memorial service will be at Second Baptist Church, 1117 N. James St., Jacksonville, AR 72076, on Friday, October 22, 2021 at 10:00 AM, officiated by Dr. David O’Dell.
Arrangements are under the trusted direction of A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076. 501-982-3400. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Arkansas Baptist Convention Disaster Relief fund, CARTI, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
21 Comments
Ms. Donna will always be remembered as a GREAT lady!! I am blessed by just knowing her.
Mrs. Donna will be missed by so many. She impacted people young and old with her laughter ad genuine kindness. As a scared 14 year old who was new in town and at a new school, she let me hide in her classroom until I made some friends and felt comfortable enough to leave the safety of her 4 walls. I never forgot the kindness she showed me and have tried to be that same way when I encounter similar situations. RIP ❤️
A beautiful tribute to my long time friend from West Helena . Donna was always the sweetest friend . I know where she is today and that I will see her again . She is with so many of her family gone before her . Her Mom , Dad, Gary, sister and brother met her . See you again !
Donna, what a sweet friend. You always was positive and spread joy wherever you went. You will be missed.
I am so sorry for the family. They didn’t get enough time with her. I love and will always miss her.
There’s not enough words to express what a great person she was. She has left a big hole in our hearts. She loved the Lord and was a great witness for him. I am ad I can call her my friend and sister in Christ. Our Sonshine Class want be the same without that infectious laugh and joy she had. I love you sweet sister.
Bill, I am so sorry for your loss. You will be in my prayers.
Donna was a beautiful soul and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I am so sorry to hear this. When I lived in Jacksonville, Donna was a dear friend and I know she was loved by all that knew her. She had such a sweet, caring and generous spirit.
A woman who truly made all of us better people after we were blessed to have her in our lives!
Most definitely!!!
My favorite teacher in high school… she made me feel like a friend. She will be missed!!!
Rest in peace Ms. Donna…Heaven has gained a beautiful angel. Prayers to her family and close friends through this difficult time.
Donna was a bright light and a wonderful educator, colleague, friend and inspiration through her courageous battle with cancer. Surrounding her family and many friends in love and prayers for comfort and peace.
Kevin, Grant, and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Keeping you in my prayers.
Praying for your family. May the Holy Spirit comfort you all.
Wonderful woman, great mother, tremendous grandmother, great mother in law. She will be missed here, but has arrived to accept her glory.
Ms. Donna was such a blessing to Stephanie in high school and when we got married. She’s an amazing Christian woman who sowed into so many kids lives as a teacher and mentor over the years. God bless you, Bill & Grant & Kevin and all of your families as you mourn such a loss. She will be missed.
Bill, Kevin, Grant you will forever be in my prayers.May God continue to comfort you and your family. She is among the angels now with her beautiful smile….
One of the greatest at JHS 88
Donna was a dear family friend and a wonderful teacher for all three of our kids. She will be deeply missed. Love to the family.
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