Donna S. Shiflet
On Friday, April 4, 2025, the world lost an extraordinary saint, and Heaven gained a joyful warrior: Donna Faye Sutton Shiflet.
Donna departed this earthly realm and entered into the loving arms of her Blessed LORD at the age of 78. Despite profound grief, her family and friends rejoice she has now been promoted to glory and free to run, dance, sing and soar with no limitations!
The daughter of Faye (Shumate) and Nelson Odie Sutton, Donna was born November 9, 1946 in Mt Sidney, Virginia. She attended Buffalo Gap High School where she met her soulmate and life-long companion, Don Shiflet. Last summer they celebrated 56 years of marriage and their amazing love, commitment and devotion to one another left a distinct impression on everyone they encountered, especially their three daughters, two sons-in-law and five grandchildren.
Donna earned her undergraduate degree from James Madison University and completed her Master's Degree at Towson University. She loved history and shared that passion, teaching many middle schoolers throughout the years with energy and creativity. Donna’s greatest joy, however, involved raising her three daughters and later pouring into the lives of her five grandchildren, hosting “Grammy camp” on the DD farm as well as countless holidays and adventures. She invested her heart into shaping them with her kindness and love of music, crafting, sewing, cooking, baking, hospitality and more!
A supportive parent/grandparent and faithful friend, Donna navigated multiple moves and many health challenges including cancer, surgeries, 23 years of paraplegia and Bulbar ALS with grace and victorious living, always maintaining optimism grounded in her faith. As a committed follower of Jesus Christ, she modeled joy amidst suffering and showed tremendous strength in spite of great adversity.
Donna’s radiant smile and compassion combined with her gift of listening allowed her to connect with people in unique ways, always putting others at ease. Hostess and chef extraordinaire, she emanated warmth, light and joy always.
Donna’s servant heart was exemplified by volunteering in her church and community, mission trips, planning reunions and welcoming guests with homestyle cooking and the best southern hospitality.
Donna taught us all how to live and love better, while touching the lives of everyone that crossed her path, even blessing new caregivers in final months that testify to her generous spirit. She truly is one-of-a-kind, deeply adored by her family, neighbors, church family and so many more.
Donna’s legacy of love and unwavering faith will always be remembered. She is survived by her husband, Don, her three daughters, Kim Rousseau (John), Ashley Shiflet, Sara Nguyen (Nicholas) and five grandchildren, Regan Rousseau, Jack Rousseau, Grant Rousseau, Kayla Nguyen and Maya Nguyen, sister Theresa (Sutton) Lanier, sister-in-law Lynda Sutton, along with many beloved nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Donna was preceded in death by her brother, Nelson O. Sutton, Jr; her sister, Cynthia (Sutton) Wright and nephew, Nelson O. Sutton III.
Donna and Don moved to Bridgewater Retirement Community in 2020. The family wishes to express deep gratitude to the residents and staff of Bridgewater Retirement Community for their loving support and exceptional care.
A private graveside service was held Monday, April 7, 2025 in Union Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Churchville, Virginia.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church (17 Court Square Harrisonburg, Virginia) on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Visitation will start at 2 p.m. with a special service honoring her life at 3:30 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the ALS Association; or to the Bridgewater Retirement Community Foundation Forever Fund (302 N 2nd St, Bridgewater, VA 22812).
Bear Funeral Home is serving the family. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at bearfuneralhome.com.
