Donna Dockins

Donna Lee Dockins, 81, of Jackson met her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Aug. 25, 1938, in St. Louis. Donna's paternal grandmother resided in Jackson, so her father, James L. "Pat" Malone, often brought Donna to Jackson. She learned to love the community and at the age of 12 made Jackson her permanent home, residing with her father and "new mother," Linda Pensel Malone.

Donna was a 1956 graduate of Jackson High School, where her two favorite subjects were Bruce Dockins of Burfordville and band. Until her passing, her eyes would light up when she reminisced about happy times of her days in band and assisting former band director Leroy Mason -- a name she never forgot. In later years, when the band was under the direction of Nick Leist, Donna served as chairwoman of the Jackson Band Boosters, co-leading the fundraisers when the band received some 200 new uniforms in 1982. This was one of her proudest accomplishments.

While in high school, Donna worked at Dairy Queen and Dalton Florist and often babysat.

On Valentine's Day 1960, she and that "Dockins boy from Burfordville" were married at New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson.

During the first several years of marriage, Donna worked at Cape County Bank, and Bruce was employed at McCombs Funeral Home and McCombs Furniture Store. In 1965, Donna surrendered her working career to start a family. A few years later, she started teaching piano lessons. She was always resourceful and placed the needs of her family first.

During the mid- to late 1970s, she worked as the office manager of the former KJAS Radio Station in Jackson. While she enjoyed her job at the station, her dedication to Bruce's unpredictable schedule and the needs of her children constantly tugged at her heart strings, so she vacated her position and became a full-time wife and mother again.

Donna and Bruce had been members of First Baptist Church and Shawnee Hills Baptist Church, both in Jackson. Ministries in which Donna served include adult and children's music, children and youth Sunday school, vacation Bible school, social committees, pastor search committees and WMU, often preparing presentations for the group. She was a current member of Shawnee Hills Baptist Church and served many years as church pianist. Donna and Bruce often sang special music together at church. Sometimes their daughter played for them, and sometimes Donna played for Bruce. The preparation was as fulfilling as the performance. Just a few short months ago, in the living room with her daughter, granddaughter and caregiver, Donna played and sang "Since Jesus Came Into My Heart." Those cherished times are forever remembered.

During the mid-1980s, Bruce, an avid horseman in earlier years, decided to re-acquaint himself with horses. Those horses soon became Donna's No. 1 priority, and through that she found her second love. For a short period, the family rented stalls, but it wasn't long before they bought a patch of ground from their special neighbors, the Borgfields, and a cute little red barn was erected. Not long after that, a few horses were added, and then a riding ring, and a horse trailer, and a truck, Dr. Bud Huck on retainer, and they were off to the horse shows, first with "Jerry B" and "Lady," and later with "Joe" and "Libby." There were a few other horses along the way, but those four were their favorites. You couldn't keep that girl away from her red barn. She was never happier than when she was there, picking hooves, picking stalls, grooming and bathing horses in the company of her dogs. During these days, she also became instrumental in coordinating the horse shows at the annual SEMO District Fair.

Many people will remember Donna for her artistic design and flair for interior decorating. She always had a way of redecorating a room or repurposing items to make a room feel warm and welcoming. When she took a notion to revamp something, she would often stay up all night to achieve her goal. She often sewed new and interesting things for the bedrooms. Sometimes, the kids would leave for school, and BAM!, when they got home, their rooms had new handmade curtains, bedspreads, pillows, or Christi would have a new dress. When it came time to redecorate or remodel the funeral home, Donna was the chief and Bruce was the Indian.

Donna's delicious family meals often included fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, chicken and dumplings, pork chops, fried potatoes, meatloaf, deviled eggs, interesting salads with an abundant choice of dressings, angel-food cake with strawberry icing, cheesecake, coconut, lemon meringue and chocolate cream pies and brownies. Her grandchildren will remember her special gum and candy drawer, and the Harmony Lane Gang still reminisces about her late-night milk shakes. Donna had a knack for showing love by preparing food.

To cherish her memory, she leaves her husband of 60 years, Bruce Dockins; daughter, Christi (Rick) Guilliams; son, Jamey (Dee) Dockins; grandchildren, Rebecca (Curt) Kuehn, and children Avery, McKinzey, and Maverick, Madalyn (Trevor) Garner, and son, Sawyer, and Jonathan Dockins, all of Jackson; and beloved caregivers, Susan LaPierre, Donna Farrow and Pauline and Paulie Allers.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Pat and Linda Pensel Malone; and a granddaughter, Callie Dockins.

The Dockins family feels grateful, blessed and humbled by the friendships with many families who have entrusted McCombs Funeral Home with the care of their loved ones. Their wife, mother and grandmother has been the "constant backbone" of the family. With creativity, grace and a happy countenance, she specialized in keeping the home fires burning. So, during this time when we are advised to "shelter in place," the family is endeavoring to keep everyone safe by honoring their mom in the following unconventional manners:

First, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. today, a guest registry will be available to sign within the "front glassed doors" at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. Guests are asked to please use their own pen or pencil. Memorial contributions will also be received in this area.

Second, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Friday, the family will be available beneath the West Portico of the funeral home to greet friends in their cars. Due to health concerns, this endeavor involves no personal contact. Drivers are asked to simply write their family name in bold print on a sizable piece of paper and tape it on the rear, driver's side window. The family name and kind faces will be video taped and act as a guest registry.

Please approach the building in the westbound lane of West Independence and turn into the east entrance of the funeral home. Drivers should go all the way around the back of the building to approach the family, who will be standing beneath the west portico. In hopes of eliminating traffic hazards, guests are advised to exit the parking lot by making a right turn into the westbound lane of the highway.

The family will honor Donna with a private service. Interment will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson. The Rev. Don Estes, Dr. Rodney Pensel and the Rev. Sam Roethemeyer will officiate.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the church or charity of your choice. Donna had a special heart for animals, so if donors are undecided, please consider: Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship, P.O. Box 154, Jackson, MO 63755; Rolling Hills Farm and Equine, 386 Taiga Lane, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701; or Humane Society of Southeast Missouri, 2536 Boutin Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

During the hours of the "portico visitation" on Friday, delivery of gifts and flowers may be difficult. Therefore, deliveries to the West Flower Door are encouraged between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. today or between the hours of 8 and 9 a.m. Friday. Thank you for your understanding.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the TRIBUTES tab of Donna's personal obituary page at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.