Donna Smith Rice, age 79, of Fort Mitchell, Alabama, went home to be with the Lord on May 15, 2026.

Donna, who grew up alongside her sister, moved multiple times as a child (their dad was often transferred with his job at Railway Express). She would speak fondly of the family’s time living in Gadsden, Talladega, and Anniston. In her junior year of high school, the family relocated to Atlanta where she spent most of her life. Donna would go on to raise two children while working in the airline industry for 32 years (Southern Airways, Republic Airlines, and Northwest Airlines). She enjoyed spending time with family, discussing the significance of names, and most importantly, trusted in Jesus Christ as her Savior. Donna read her Bible daily and loved learning about Biblical prophecy.

She is preceded in death by her parents, James F. and Mabel Sizemore Smith, and infant twin sister, Sheila Diane Smith.

Donna is survived by her daughter, Leigh Ann Neill (Bobby), and son, Scott Rice (Allison), all of Fort Mitchell. She is loving grandmother to Katy Calvert (Nathan), Natalie Neill, Jared Neill, Lucas Neill, Karie Hinderliter (Jeffery), Megan Rice, Nicholas Rice, and great grandmother to Lizzie Calvert. Donna’s sister, Rebecca "Susan" Smith, and nephew, Grant Dudley, are of Knoxville, Tennessee.

A graveside service will be held in Gadsden at Crestwood Cemetery on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 11 a.m. where Donna will be laid to rest next to her parents.