Funeral Services for Donna Jean Hamby, Age 78 will be held on Saturday, December 20th, 2025 at The Fox Funeral Home, Licking, Missouri, beginning at 1PM. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 12-Noon. Burial will be in The Hutchason Cemetery, Licking, Missouri.
Donna Jean Hamby, age 78, daughter of James and Vera (Kennedy) Riley was born March 9, 1947 in Waynesville, Missouri. She passed away December 13, 2025 surrounded by her children in Eureka, Missouri.
Donna is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ronald, sister Mary Ann, and brother James Warren.
She is survived by her daughter Samantha Stephens and her husband Jeffery of Eureka, MO; her son Ronald and his wife Lisa of Edgar Springs, MO; her daughter Reta and her husband Derek of Licking, MO; seven grandchildren: Nathen Huffman and his wife Alix; Benjamin Huffman and his wife Taylor; Peyton Stephens, Cade Stephens, Zoey Dawson, Jake Dawson, and Michael Miller; three great-grandchildren: Anlyn, Maevis, and Vera Huffman; four sisters: Nora Schondelmayer, Reta Tyrone, Nancy Blaylock, and Linda Shepiro.
Donna spent most of her childhood in Wood River, Illinois where they moved when she was around 10 years old. There she attended St. Bernard’s Catholic School. She often shared fond memories of Wood River including when she used to sneak out of her house to ride her bicycle around town before school. Her family moved to Edgar Springs in 1964 and she graduated from Licking High School in 1966. During high school she was waitressing at a diner in Edgar Springs where she met her husband, Ronald. They later eloped and were married on May 27, 1967. Ronald was soon stationed in San Antonio, Texas where they moved and welcomed their first child Samantha approximately a year later. Soon after, they returned to the area and remained in Edgar Springs the rest of their lives. This is where they welcomed their other two children Ronald and Reta. They enjoyed 40 wonderful years together.
Donna was a long-time member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Licking, MO where she attended regularly for many years. Her and Ronald had their wedding vows renewed at St. Mark’s in June of 1992.
She spent a majority of her life as a homemaker while being very active in the PTO at the Edgar Springs school. Later she worked as a Cook at the school for many years before returning to being a homemaker. She was a Girl Scout leader in Edgar Springs for many years. She took her group of girls on many adventures including camp outs at Montauk, space camp in Alabama, and Disney World in Florida. Donna was always in charge of security for the group. She always loved sharing memories from these adventures.
Donna was known for her beautiful, pieced quilts. She was an active member of the “Little Piece Makers” quilt club in Anutt, MO. She loved the feel of fabric and loved to share the art of piecing with everyone who had an interest. Her and her sisters, although many states apart, worked on many quilting projects together by packing them with them on visits or mailing them ahead of time so they could enjoy their hobby together. She was also an avid book reader. Nothing beats a good mystery.
On top of being a wonderful wife, mother and sister she was an amazing grandmother and great-grandmother. She spent untold hours pushing kids on swings, sitting in a lawn chair watching the kids play, playing cards or board games inside (especially Yahtzee), and truly enjoyed just being around her family and friends. She will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
