Donna Rose-Mary Stearns

Donna Rose-Mary Stearns, 57, of Hudson, Florida went to be in God’s heavenly choir on January 13, 2021, at her home in Hudson, Florida. Donna was born March 29, 1963 in Tipton, Indiana to Donald Pritchett and Diane Ball who have preceded her in death.

Donna was married twice before meeting the love of her life, and soulmate, Billy Wayne Stearns. They were joined together in holy matrimony on April 27, 1991, at Fern Cliff State Park in Goreville, Illinois along with their daughter Diantha by their side.

Donna attended high school at Carmi High School in Carmi, Illinois. She also attended high school at Burns High School in Burns, Oregon. She graduated from Burns High School in 1981. She also attended Shawnee Community College in Ullin, Illinois.

She gave birth to her daughter, Diantha Renee on July 3, 1986, and later a son, Billy Ray on December 20, 1996.

Donna held many jobs in her lifetime. She worked at a cannery, housekeeping at a conference center, and also operated an arcade for a number of years. Her favorite job that she had was being a mother, and later on holding the title of grandmother.

She had many hobbies and activities that she enjoyed during her life. One of the many things she enjoyed was photography. She loved being able to capture those little moments she shared with her family on film. She enjoyed gardening and tending to her many plants and flowers wherever she lived. Donna began to lose her eyesight in her early 30’s. Before her eyesight deteriorated she enjoyed crocheting, cross-stich, and any kind of arts and crafts project that she could get her hands on especially if it was making a gift for her family or friends. She loved to cook and bake. It was a joy for her to teach someone how to make something the way she was taught by her mom or grandmother. Donna also enjoyed using gel pens and coloring and reading. Her favorite phrase about reading was, “Reading is the key to the universe. If you can read, you can do anything.” She loved to go out and sing karaoke with her friends and family. She also loved going to the beach as often as her health would allow her. Donna’s favorite activity though was spending as much quality time as possible with her family, including her grandbabies; Alan Joseph (AJ) and Aviendha Rose (Avi). She had numerous pets over the years and she spoiled them all.

Donna was raised in the Pentecostal faith, but she was also very in tune with her Cherokee heritage. Some of her favorite karaoke songs were gospel songs. One of her favorites was “The Night Jack Daniels met John 3:16,” by James Payne. She also sang in a gospel group named “One Step Back”, with her husband Bill, daughter Diantha, adopted daughter Samara Pitchers, and her cousin Tina West.

Donna had a big personality, and a very loving heart. She was the type of person that it didn’t matter if she knew you for five minutes or five years, once you met her you became family. Many people in her life lovingly nicknamed her “Momma D.” Donna had a very odd, twisted, and smart aleck sense of humor. No matter your mood, she could always make you smile. She made sure that all her friends and family knew that no matter what they could always come to her and talk. She would always do to the best of her ability, regardless of what was going on in her life, make time for you if you needed to talk.

Donna tried to make sure to teach everyone around her a little American Sign Language. The first sign that she always tried to teach was the sign for I Love You. She was very proud when both of her grandchildren signed it back to her for the first time. She will forever be missed by all who knew her.

Donna is survived by her husband of 29 years, Bill Stearns of Hudson, FL, son, Billy Ray also of Hudson, FL, daughter, Diantha Thompson of New Port Richey, FL, 2 grandchildren: Alan Thompson (10) and Aviendha Thompson (6) of New Port Richey, FL, brothers, Benjamin (Ellen) Prichett and Darrell Pritchett of Orangeville, PA, niece, Renee (Robert) Dussia of Chesapeake, VA, nephews: Ryan Clementz and his family Danielle and Brennan of Union, NJ, and Kyle Prichett of Crawfordsville, IN, cousins: Billy Pritchett (Rose) of Emerado, ND, Jessie Pritchett, also known as Jessie Girl, and her family of Diamond, OH., adopted daughters: Laurie (Charles Sr.) Howard (Charles Sr.) and their children, Charles Jr. (21), David (21), Conner (16), and Allyssa (11) of Goreville, IL, and Samara Pitchers and her family of West Frankfurt, IL and Heather (James) Parish and her children James Billingsley (19) and Noah Parish (15) of Blairsville, IN, and adopted son and friend, Charles Parks of Hudson, FL.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Donald Ray and Diane Rose Pritchett, an older brother whom was a stillbirth, Jesse Monroe Pritchett, grandmother Beulah Cozart, and cousin Tina West.

There is to be a Celebration of Life. The date and time will be determined at a later time.