Donna Rose (Hancock) Elam 88, of San Tan Valley, AZ passed away May 31st at Lund Hospice House in Gilbert, AZ. She was surrounded by family.
Donna was born in Pope County, Illinois in 1937. She married her grade school sweetheart, Bob Elam on February 21, 1953.
Donna was survived by her children: Catherine (Curtis) White, Cynthia (Ed) Moore, Carol (Ken) Wynn, Charles (Debbie) Elam & Curtis (Amy) Elam; her grandchildren: Janice (Kevin), John (Stephanie), Brian (Carmina), Jessie (Carla), Cheryl (Luke), Catherine (Dave), Curtis (Claire), Andrew, Emily (Luke), Evan &Erika; her great-grandchildren: Rachel, Rebekah, Caitlynn, Ayden, Alexandra, Samantha, Nathan, Ava, Isabelle, Gabriel, Elijah, David, Evangeline, Annarose, Eliana, Jonas & Roy; her great-great-grandchildren: Luke, Scarlett, Jameson, Emilia, Aubrey, Everley & Easton; her sister-in-law: Edna (Bill) Wright; her “adopted” son: Mark Rodriguez; and her “adopted” grandson: Michael Johnson.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bobie Junior Elam; her parents, Thomas & Freda (Santy) Hancock; her sister, Mona Ruth (Cletis) Randolph; and her brothers: Wendell Hancock & John Hancock.
Donna was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother (Nana), great grandmother and great- great grandmother. She was typically found humbly serving others, whether it was teaching Sunday School, babysitting, “laundry ministry,” or caring for a sick loved one. She walked closely with the Lord throughout her life and fervently worked alongside her husband of 71 years to build the foundation of their family upon their faith in God.
She loved keeping up with family news, listening to Southern Gospel Music, reading her Bible and talking about Jesus. She had a great sense of humor and loved to joke with family even in her final days. She leaves behind a legacy of strong faith in Jesus and a fierce love of family.
As we grieve her loss, we can also rejoice as we know she has reached eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
She is so deeply missed and we will hold her love in our hearts forever.