Donna Carolyn Smith

Donna Carolyn Smith, 95, passed away on September 27, 2023 at Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living in Arlington, Texas. She was born on July, 16th, 1928 in New Bedford, Ohio to Simon and Fern (Levengood) Bickel.
Donna grew up in New Bedford, Ohio and Massillon, Ohio. She graduated from Massillon High School in 1946. After high school she worked and attended college.
She attended Massillon Business College in Massillon, Ohio where she received a 2 year degree in Business.
She worked for the Paris Independent School District in various capacities for over 25 years, including at East Paris Elementary as a Teacher’s Aide, Special Services Department and at the Administration Office
She was involved in her church, Grace Lutheran and other various volunteer activities through the years
Donna married Don E. Smith in 1957 in St. Louis, Missouri. They moved to Paris, Texas in the summer of 1968 with their three girls from Ohio. They were happily married for 52 years. Donna was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Paris, Texas. She enjoyed reading, knitting, ceramics, crafts, volunteering, her cat and especially her family. She also received an award in 2021 for the oldest volunteer at Paris Regional Medical Center Hospital.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband Don Smith, her daughter Denise Kemper, grandson Joshua Kemper and her parents Simon and Fern Bickel.
Donna is survived by; her daughters, Dawn Stacy and husband, Howard Stacy of Kennedale, TX, Deirdre Leibrandt and husband Thomas Leibrandt of Tulsa, OK, son-in-law Karl Kemper and wife, Abby Kemper of Powderly, TX; her grandchildren Alex Stacy and wife, Camila Stacy, Daniel Stacy and wife, Kristina Stacy, Nathan Kemper and Lucas Kemper.  
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Pastor Toby Byrd of Grace Lutheran Church, Paris, Texas, Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living, Omega Hospice Care, Emerald Hills Funeral Home and Donna's many close friends.