Donna Kaye Rogers

Donna Kaye (Thomas) Rogers, 80, of Jonesboro, AR, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 27, 2022, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House.  Donna was born February, 7, 1942, in Jonesboro to Elbert and Willadeen (Hinson) Thomas.  She lived her entire life in Jonesboro and was a member of the First Baptist Church.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, her grandparents; John and Lena (Ishmael) Hinson and John and Mattie (Sharp) Thomas, her granddaughter; Shea Cook and Rolan Rogers, the father of her children.

Donna attended Arkansas State Elementary school, Annie Camp Jr. High and graduated from Jonesboro High School in 1959.  During Jr. High, she was a majorette, as well as a member of the band and band honor society.  In high school, Donna continued as a majorette and band member, as well as Jr. and Sr. class treasurer, and a member of the Student Council and National Honor Society.  In her senior year, she was elected state treasurer of the FBLA and selected as Senior Valentine Queen at her church, First Baptist.

After graduation, she received an Associate Degree at Arkansas State University.  She went to work for Farmers Home Administration and then transferred to the Social Security Administration, where she retired after working for 26 years.  In 1988, she worked for KNEA Radio, where she became Station Manager.  Later that year, Donna and Paul Boden started the U.S. Gospel Newspaper, which became the largest gospel newspaper in the United States.  She worked as assistant editor until Paul’s death in 2006.  In 2008, she worked at St Bernard’s Hospital as a switchboard operator.

For many years, Donna served as Secretary/Treasurer for the Jonesboro Softball Association. She also served as President of the Jonesboro Women’s Bowling Association and helped to bring in the first state bowling tournament to Jonesboro.  She loved spending time with her family and enjoyed watching her grandchildren participate in their various activities.  She was also a big St. Louis Cardinals fan.

Survivors include her children; Bryan (Jill) Rogers, Cindy (Rogers) Cook, Barry Rogers, and Blake (Shanda) Rogers, her grandchildren; Rachel Rogers, Cade Rogers and Cydney Rogers, her great-grandchildren; Brooklyn Turnage and Bennett Gallagher.  She also leaves behind many other relatives and friends who she loved dearly.

A Celebration of Donna’s life will be held Friday, September 2, 2022 at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro with Steve Bradford officiating.  Visitation will be from 1-3pm, with service to follow.  Burial will be private.  Honorary pallbearers will be Rick Thomas, Ed Hinson, Clyde Gray, Bob Gibson, Larry Wright, Nancy Bradshaw, Steve and Christie Bradford, Kirsten Gambill, and the Jonesboro High School Class of 1959.

The family has requested that memorials be made to Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House at 1148 E. Matthews Ave., Jonesboro, AR 72401, or Philadelphia Cemetery Association at 2923 North Church St., Jonesboro, AR 72401.