Donna Atkins Reid passed away at home on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 surrounded by her family after a difficult and courageous 6-year battle with ovarian cancer. She was born on May 20, 1949 in Brookline, Maine and was the only child of Bernard and Gertrude Atkins of Peabody, Maine.
Donna Reid was a long-time resident of Peabody, Maine. She attended Peabody High School and graduated in 1967. Donna moved to Miami Beach, Fla. in 1968. From there, she lived in Hattiesburg, Miss., then finally Atlanta, Ga., where she started her family. Donna began working for Delta Air Lines in 1980 in the Benefits/HR Department and after several promotions, became the Manager of Human Resources. She was a hard-working, dedicated and diligent employee. Donna retired in 2002 only to begin her favorite career as Grandma or Mimi as she was known in 2003. She will be remembered at Delta for her beautiful smile, her energy and her love for life, family and colleagues (many of whom became life-long friends) and especially for the love that she had for her grandchildren. An avid traveler, Donna enjoyed visiting exotic places with family and friends. The beach was her “Happy Place” and especially loved Hawaii and the shores of many of the Caribbean Islands by way of cruises, taking her last with family just six weeks ago.
Ms. Reid was preceded in death by her parents; infant daughter, Rachel and loyal canine companions, Ziggy, Kanton and Kooper. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Matthew and Torey Wucher of Fayetteville; her daughter and son-in-law, Eileen and Anthony Corley of Peachtree City; her granddaughters, Katelyn, Brooklyn and Morgan Wucher and Addyson Corley; and grandsons, U.S. Army Specialist Logan May and Cayson Corley.
The funeral service for Donna was held at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 10, 2017 at Mowell Funeral Home in Fayetteville, Ga., with Rev. Glenn Stringham officiating. Burial followed the service at Camp Memorial Park in Fayetteville, Ga. The family celebrated her life from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday evening, February 9, 2017 at the funeral home.
The family asks that you spend time with your children and grandchildren, walk on the beach with loved ones, order the cake even though couldn’t finish your dinner and make a toast to enduring friendships – that’s what Donna would have enjoyed! We want to let her know she did a great job, fought the good fight and wish her a safe journey home.
Many thanks to Dr. Kahnwani, Cancer Specialists of Fayetteville, for leaving no stone unturned in helping to obtain life-extending treatments for Donna over the last six years. His unending compassion and care will never be forgotten. Thanks as well to all of the kind-hearted nurses and care specialists with Gentiva Home Health and Hospice during Donna’s final days.
Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Fayetteville – www.mowellfuneralhome.com
