Donna Jean Nelms

Published 5:15 pm Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Donna Jean Nelms, 71, of Smithfield, Virginia, died peacefully on Friday morning, April 11th, 2025. Donna was born September 17,1953, in Suffolk, Virginia, to the late Joseph Eugene Nelms, Jr. and June West Nelms. She graduated from Smithfield High School, where she excelled on the girls’ basketball team. She received an Associate of Arts degree from Louisburg College in Louisburg, North Carolina, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, and a Master of Arts degree from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.  

Returning home from college, Donna taught kindergarten and became a school counselor at Isle of Wight County’s Windsor Elementary School for over 30 years.  

A lifelong member of Smithfield Baptist Church, Donna served as a cook on Shirley Barlow’s “ham biscuit” committee. She treasured the friendship of her church friends, old school friends, coworkers, and neighbors, gathering for weekly nights out and regularly scheduled luncheons. 

She joined friends on annual vacations in the North Carolina Outer Banks and visited schoolmates in Deltaville on Virginia’s Middle Peninsula region. Raised in a community theater family, Donna enjoyed many Broadway plays in New York City. Her memorable foreign visits included Israel, Australia and New Zealand.  

A lover of all animals, Donna volunteered with the “Gimme Shelter” Thrift Store, whose primary focus is to offer aid and support for the welfare of local animals. Her favorite duty was walking the rescue dogs of the center. Unable to leave a stray without a home, she adopted and doted on her own dogs, Holly, Lucy, and Watson. 

Donna is survived by her mother, June Nelms Hurst of Smithfield, sister Debbie Cartwright (Jack) of Macon, Georgia, brothers Joseph E. Nelms III of Smithfield and Bryan K. Nelms (Sobeida) of Newport News, Va., great aunt Iola Saunders of Chuckatuck, Va., uncle Jimmy West of Outer Banks, N.C., and several nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her father, Joseph “Eugene” Nelms, Jr. and stepfather, James Hurst, both of Smithfield. 

Burial and Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Smithfield Baptist Church, 100 Wainwright Drive, Smithfield, Va. 23430 or to the “Gimme Shelter” Foundation… 

The family wishes to thank the staff of “Pruitt Place-Wesleyan” for their loving care for Donna since last October as her health declined due to dementia. The same thanks go to the caregivers of “Laced with Grace private care” during these last few weeks. Many thanks to the skilled and caring nurses from Heartland Hospice. Finally, thanks to all of Donna’s friends, neighbors, and caregivers in Smithfield, who shared their love for Donna in so many ways over the last six years. 

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences. 

Hart’s on Cherry Street, Hart’s Mortuary and Cremation Center, 765 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201 has charge of the arrangements.