Donna Ruth Holliman

Donna Ruth Smith Holliman, 92, of Beaumont, Texas passed away on March 7, 2025, at her home in Beaumont, Texas.

Funeral services will be at 2pm on March 11, 2025, at The Anchor in Beaumont, Texas. Officiating will be Reverend Johnathan Green. 

Burial will follow at Forest Lawn.

Visitation will be at 1pm prior to the service at the church.

Born in DeQuincy, Louisiana on March 28, 1932. She was the daughter of Gilbert Lee and Sarah Frances Violet Browning Smith.

Donna spent her early life in DeQuincy where she graduated from DeQuincy High School in 1951. She attended the First United Pentecostal Church of DeQuincy until she moved away. After high school she moved to Houston and worked as a salesgirl in a department store until her Momma decided it was time for her to come back home. Some time later she moved to Beaumont, Texas and worked at Hoffer’s Biggest Little Store for 8 years. During this time, she rode the city bus to work and ended up meeting her future husband Robert outside of S & H Kress. They were married on December 31, 1960, at the First United Methodist Church. In 1961, her much anticipated daughter, Charlotte, was born.

Donna later worked at Gus Becker Printing Company in the bindery department where she was employed until she retired.

She enjoyed sewing, crocheting and collecting decorative clear glass items and bird figurines. Loved plants (especially crotons), flowers and anything green (a love of which she passed on to her daughter). She had a love and compassion for people that extended throughout her life. She taught Sunday school, worked on church projects and brought people to church. For more than 70 years, she remained a steadfast member of the church, now known as The Anchor, witnessing its growth and transition through different pastors and names while staying dedicated to her faith and congregation.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert W. Holliman, her parents, and her sisters Dorothy Dempsey (Ronald) and Dollie Courtney (Duchene) and brother, Doye Wayne Smith (Eva Ann).

Donna is survived by her only daughter, Charlotte A. Holliman, goddaughter Rene Clay (Lorenzo), and beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. Her extended chosen family to whom she was Nonna includes Kaitlin, Mykenzie, Tylor and 6 great grandchildren.

Serving as pallbearers will be Caleb Dempsey, Karl Smith, Dale Dempsey, Jody Courtney, Robbie Courtney, Jordan Herring, Lorenzo Clay, and Bruce Myrick.

The funeral is under the direction of Claybar Kelly-Watkins Funeral Home in Beaumont.

A heartfelt thank you to Sue Cass for her unselfish investment of time, friendship, love and care during this time and throughout the years.

Thank you to Gentiva Hospice, friends and caregivers for their kind and compassionate care of Donna.