Donna Smith Gookin

Donna Jo Smith Gookin, 55, of Jonesboro, died Sunday, December 22, 2013, at her home of natural causes.

Born in Jonesboro, Donna was a 1976 graduate of Nettleton High School where she was a talented pianist as well as a talented saxophone player in the high school band. She earned a Bachelor degree in Medical Technology from Arkansas State University and worked 10 years for Methodist Hospital of Jonesboro before transferring to Methodist Hospital Central in Memphis where she worked an additional 15 years before becoming disabled. She moved back to Jonesboro 2 years ago.

Donna was a long-time member of Nettleton United Methodist Church and was a devoted animal lover. She either had a pet dog or pet cat or both most of her life. She was preceded in death by her mother, Peggy White Smith, her maternal grandparents: Warren and Jewell White, and her paternal grandparents: Claud and Edna Smith.

Survivors include her father and step mother, Joe and Shirley Mask Smith of Jonesboro;
1 sister, Denise Buercklin, 1 niece, Catherine Buercklin and 1 nephew, Joseph Buercklin all of Little Rock.

Graveside funeral services will be held Thursday, December 26, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. in Nettleton Cemetery with Rev. Harold Ray officiating.

Pallbearers include Birchard Roberts, Gary Smith, Fred Sitz, Lindell Pratt, Neal Moore and Bud Holmes. Honorary pallbearers include the Nettleton High School Class of 1976.

There will be no visitation.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the NEA Humane Society, 6011 E. Highland Dr., Jonesboro, AR 72401.