Obituary for Donna Kay Chapman
Donna Kay Chapman (McCraw), age 59, of Springfield, passed away on July 30, 2019, in Springfield.
Her wishes were to be cremated and a memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 East Walnut Street, Springfield, MO. In remembrance of her passion and love for the Chiefs, family and friends attending the memorial are asked to wear your best Chiefs attire and/or anything red or yellow.
Donna was born in Springfield, Missouri to Gabe and Eulalia McCraw on August 13, 1959. She grew up a country girl on a beautiful farm overlooking the James River with her parents and two siblings. She graduated high school in 1977 from Logan Rogersville School and then went on to graduate from Drury College in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology. She worked in various fields; all but not limited to; Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, paralegal, and social work. She dedicated nineteen years of her life working with the Missouri Division of Youth Services as a youth specialist, serving countless youth and families. Her co-workers remember her doing her job with grace, purpose, heart, commitment and compassion.
Donna is preceded in death by her father Gabe McCraw, mother Eulalia McCraw, and niece Jennifer McCraw.
Donna is survived by her daughter Jessica, her son-in-law Brian, and grandchild Parker. She is also survived by many other family members including; Brenda Miller (sister), Rod Miller (brother in law), Chris Miller (nephew), Kimberly Carroll (niece), Jim McCraw (brother), Linda McCraw (sister in law), and Heather Foltz (niece).
Donna was by far the best mother and grandmother Jessica and Parker could have asked for. To say that they have lost a guiding presence in their lives would be an understatement. She was always there to give love, advice, encouragement, and of course toys for Parker for days. She rarely thought of herself and always put others first, and first and foremost were her family. There really are no adequate words that can ever be said to express what she meant to her family. And in that same breath there are no words to express the loss that they feel, and the hole that this loss has left within them.
Besides the love of her family Donna was by far the number one Kansas City Chiefs fan. She has been a season ticket holder for over 15 years going to as many games as possible, even in sub-zero temperatures just to root for her team. She often named her animals after Chief players like Albert Lewis, K.C., Priest Holmes, Kawika Mitchell, Dexter McCluster, Tamba Hali, and many more. Donna also loved knitting. She was an avid reader. A thrill seeker, finding the scariest rollercoasters she could convince her best friend Alisa to go on. She loved music and going to concerts. She had recently attended Santana, Hootie and the Blowfish, and Bob Seger. She also had a deep compassion for all animals. Over her life she rescued countless animals abandoned by the roadside. At the time of her death she had three dogs; a cattle dog named Lola, a Rottweiler named Duke, a Basset Hound named Norman, a cat named Tamba, and two quarter horses named Iggy and Phantom.
The loss that we are all feeling is one that may never truly go away. People like Donna only come into our lives rarely and that wonderfulness is bound to leave a void and sadness in the people who knew and loved her. What we can do is remember what an amazing soul she had the light she brought to all of us and in doing so maybe that hole and sadness will be diminished a little. She would want us to celebrate and remember her light and kindness and pass that on to other people who may need a little light in their lives. We are all truly better people for having known such an amazing person who is gone far too soon from our lives. A star as bright as her can only burn so bright for so long and we should all be grateful for the opportunity and time we had with her however long that time was.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given in memory of Donna in two ways: A college fund has been established for her grandson Parker Roesener or the donation can be dropped off at any Telcomm Credit Union location using his name. Or in her honor donations may be made to one of the following area animal rescues: For the Love of K-9s, Southwest Missouri Humane Society, C.A.R.E. Animal Rescue, or Rescue One.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.
Her wishes were to be cremated and a memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 East Walnut Street, Springfield, MO. In remembrance of her passion and love for the Chiefs, family and friends attending the memorial are asked to wear your best Chiefs attire and/or anything red or yellow.
Donna was born in Springfield, Missouri to Gabe and Eulalia McCraw on August 13, 1959. She grew up a country girl on a beautiful farm overlooking the James River with her parents and two siblings. She graduated high school in 1977 from Logan Rogersville School and then went on to graduate from Drury College in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology. She worked in various fields; all but not limited to; Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, paralegal, and social work. She dedicated nineteen years of her life working with the Missouri Division of Youth Services as a youth specialist, serving countless youth and families. Her co-workers remember her doing her job with grace, purpose, heart, commitment and compassion.
Donna is preceded in death by her father Gabe McCraw, mother Eulalia McCraw, and niece Jennifer McCraw.
Donna is survived by her daughter Jessica, her son-in-law Brian, and grandchild Parker. She is also survived by many other family members including; Brenda Miller (sister), Rod Miller (brother in law), Chris Miller (nephew), Kimberly Carroll (niece), Jim McCraw (brother), Linda McCraw (sister in law), and Heather Foltz (niece).
Donna was by far the best mother and grandmother Jessica and Parker could have asked for. To say that they have lost a guiding presence in their lives would be an understatement. She was always there to give love, advice, encouragement, and of course toys for Parker for days. She rarely thought of herself and always put others first, and first and foremost were her family. There really are no adequate words that can ever be said to express what she meant to her family. And in that same breath there are no words to express the loss that they feel, and the hole that this loss has left within them.
Besides the love of her family Donna was by far the number one Kansas City Chiefs fan. She has been a season ticket holder for over 15 years going to as many games as possible, even in sub-zero temperatures just to root for her team. She often named her animals after Chief players like Albert Lewis, K.C., Priest Holmes, Kawika Mitchell, Dexter McCluster, Tamba Hali, and many more. Donna also loved knitting. She was an avid reader. A thrill seeker, finding the scariest rollercoasters she could convince her best friend Alisa to go on. She loved music and going to concerts. She had recently attended Santana, Hootie and the Blowfish, and Bob Seger. She also had a deep compassion for all animals. Over her life she rescued countless animals abandoned by the roadside. At the time of her death she had three dogs; a cattle dog named Lola, a Rottweiler named Duke, a Basset Hound named Norman, a cat named Tamba, and two quarter horses named Iggy and Phantom.
The loss that we are all feeling is one that may never truly go away. People like Donna only come into our lives rarely and that wonderfulness is bound to leave a void and sadness in the people who knew and loved her. What we can do is remember what an amazing soul she had the light she brought to all of us and in doing so maybe that hole and sadness will be diminished a little. She would want us to celebrate and remember her light and kindness and pass that on to other people who may need a little light in their lives. We are all truly better people for having known such an amazing person who is gone far too soon from our lives. A star as bright as her can only burn so bright for so long and we should all be grateful for the opportunity and time we had with her however long that time was.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given in memory of Donna in two ways: A college fund has been established for her grandson Parker Roesener or the donation can be dropped off at any Telcomm Credit Union location using his name. Or in her honor donations may be made to one of the following area animal rescues: For the Love of K-9s, Southwest Missouri Humane Society, C.A.R.E. Animal Rescue, or Rescue One.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.