Donna Cannon

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Donna Maria Smith Cannon, 62, of Chaffee died Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau, following an extended illness.

She was born June 20, 1944, in Elkton, Md., daughter of Clyde H. and Cathryn Edwards Smith. She and William "Bill" Cannon were married Jan. 26, 1981.

After a 33-year career with Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., she retired in 1997.

Donna was a 1962 graduate of Delta High School, in later years serving as president of the Class of 1962 Alumni Association. She was also involved in many religious and civic organizations including: member of Arbor General Baptist Church in Delta, past president of Baptist Missionary Society, past president of Cape Chapter of Telephone Pioneers, past secretary of Missouri State Chapter of Telephone Pioneers, charter member and first president of Chaffee Historical Society, president of Chaffee Athletic Booster Club in 1999, secretary of German Day Association, member of Chaffee Chamber of Commerce, former member of Chaffee School Board of Education, and was a Cub Scout den mother.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband, Bill, of Chaffee; two brothers, Ronnie Smith (Vickie) of Jefferson City, Mo., Bob Smith (Georgia) of Chaffee; two sons, David Ivester II (Jennifer) of Jackson, Wade Cannon (Jaimie) of Chaffee; two stepdaughters, Karen Cannon Brown of Springfield, Mo., Kathi Cannon Stone (Tim) of Cape Girardeau; and a stepson, Chris Cannon (Pam) of Cape Girardeau.

Also two grandsons, David and Ethan Ivester of Jackson; a stepgrandson, Alex Stone of Cape Girardeau; five stepgranddaughters, Kori Brown Skidmore (Travis) of Springfield, Kari Stone, Caitlin Cannon, Madison Cannon and Mackenzie Cannon, all of Cape Girardeau; and a great-stepgrandson, Gage Skidmore of Springfield; she also had many nieces and nephews.

Donna was a fun-loving person who cared deeply for her family. She had the good fortune to count many special people as lifelong friends, while they too knew what a treasured friend they had in her. Despite the challenges of her recent illness, Donna's faith and positive attitude remained constant. She inspired everyone who knew her.

Donna's struggles have now ended and she has found well-deserved peace with the Lord.

Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. Thursday at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee.

The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the chapel, with Kermit Patton officiating. Burial will be in Union Park Cemetery in Chaffee.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.