Donna Edwards Williamson

Donna Lynn Edwards Williamson joined her Mother and Father in heaven on August 23, 2022, after struggling with breathing problems for several years.

She was born to Louise Collins Edwards and Charles (Fay) Edwards on January 12, 1959, the fifth child and third daughter in a happy, loving family.  Donna was predeceased by a sister, Margaret Clarke.

She is survived by her sons, Jeremy Hembree, of Hendersonville and Riley Hembree, of the home in Green Creek; her sister, Diana (John) Blanton, brothers, Danny (Dale)Edwards, Mickey (Terri) also of Green Creek, and Laddy (Teresa) of Sunny View, eleven nieces and nephews, and numerous great-nieces and nephews.  She was also a beloved cousin of Sharon and Rita and special friend of Emma and Chloe.

Her favorite hobby was growing beautiful flowers and plants, which decorated her patio.  In the past two years she especially enjoyed staying in touch with her family and friends through Facebook and texts, as she was limited in how much physical activity she could tolerate. Prior to that time, she assisted her brothers and sisters in caring for their Mother in the family home for three and one-half years, often staying longer and doing household chores every week with Margaret and Diana.  She loved children, and they really loved her, even going to stay with several family members when their children were born. She still took care of two children in her mom’s home while caring for her, at the same time, until the youngest started daycare.

            Donna attended Green Creek Elementary School and Polk Central High School, graduating in 1977. She took courses in computer technology, to enable her to perform job duties later in her twenties. Donna was a manager of several produce departments in the area and ended her public jobs at the Walmart, in Hillcrest Mall, in Spartanburg, SC.  

            As a hard-working, single parent she reared two sons and was cared for by Riley, in her home during the last two years of her struggle with advanced stages of COPD. After our Mother’s passing in 2020, our sister Margaret devoted herself to caring for her fiancée, Kenny, and making Donna’s life more manageable by picking up her groceries, taking her to appointments, and being a sounding board for her problems. She was a staunch supporter and advocate for Donna in every situation. Margaret had been a respiratory therapist, LPN,  and EMT during her professional career. She sometimes used unorthodox methods to treat medical problems that she had learned from doctors and others in her past. Riley related that during one of Donna’s episodes of breathing difficulties, when nothing else worked, that Marg put vodka in the nebulizer for her to inhale to loosen the mucus! This induced a coughing fit and cleared everything out so she could breathe easily again.  (Not a recommended treatment, just to be clear.)

            Donna was dearly loved by her family and friends and will be sorely missed. She was a rock in her son’s lives. With God’s help and strength, we will soldier on, but the way will not be as bright. 

A memorial service will be 3 PM Friday, August 26, 2022 at Hickory Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Brent Frady officiating.

Sanders Funeral Home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donna Edwards Williamson, please visit our floral store.