Donna Kay Kirksey

Donna Kay Kirksey, 70, of Jonesboro, passed on to Heaven Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at AMMC Hospital in Paragould.  She had lived in Jonesboro since 1967, moving here from Osceola.  She was born in Flint, Michigan, to Bill and Elizabeth Dresbach on October 3, 1954.  Donna was a long-time member of Walnut Street Baptist Church.  She retired from Arkansas State University with 34 years of dedicated service.  During her tenure there, she was voted secretary of the year, on more than one occasion.  After retirement, she enjoyed substitute teaching.  She lived and breathed for her family and especially her granddaughters, Alyssa and Ashlyn.  She never missed an event or activity where they were concerned.  In 2022, she gained 6 bonus grandchildren, and she loved them, and loved supporting them in their events and activities from the moment they came into her life.  Donna was preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors include her loving husband of 49 years, Tom Kirksey of the home; daughter, Elizabeth Williams and husband Mario of Bono; brother, Bill Dresbach and wife Kim of Pocahontas; sister, Kerri Lyn Dresbach of Hoxie; grandchildren, Alyssa and Ashlyn Combs, Adrian, Keleigh, Kaiden, Kaison, Kristian, and Kinah Williams;  her sister in law, Debra Kirksey Mangrum; her nieces and nephews, Wayne Mangrum and wife Kristen, Marissa Richardson and husband Brian, Martina Mangrum, Alex Dresbach, Molly Johnson and husband Matt and Anna Dresbach; her great nieces and nephew Harper Richardson, Allie Mangrum, and Sutton, Arden and Abel Johnson.

A Memorial Celebration of Life service will be 2:00 P.M., Monday, July 14, 2025, at Walnut Street Baptist Church with Keith Baker officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.  Visitation will be from 1:00 until service time.  Honorary pallbearers are the JHS Class of 1973, and the Nea Breast Cancer Support Group.  The burial will be private.

For lasting memorials, please consider the NEA Breast Cancer Support Group, c/o Effie Dungan, 117 Thelma Road, Trumann, Arkansas, 72467.  To sign an online guestbook, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.