Donna Jan Ivy

Donna Curtis Ivy, best known as Sweet Donna passed peacefully on March 30, 2022, surrounded by her family in Kingwood, Texas.  She was 75 years old.

Donna was born the youngest child of three to Lena and Finis Curtis of Vernon, Texas.  After graduation from Vernon High School, she attended East Texas State University.  Donna was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority where she made life-long friends.  In 1965, Miss Curtis represented her hometown in the Miss Texas Pageant.  Later that same year, she met and married the love of her life, Rod Ivy.  The two of them built a life together that was full of meaning and purpose and most of all, love.    

The couple welcomed three children into the world.  Donna was the heartbeat of her family and devoted her life to ensuring those three children knew they were loved unconditionally.  Over the years Donna Ivy worked with students who needed the most encouragement and support.  Her time in the classroom focused on special education of elementary and high school students and the early developmental school programs.  She had a passion for children of all ages and her ability to connect with them on their level made her a wonderful communicator with impact and influence.

Outside the classroom Donna had many interests.  She loved the water.  Donna was happiest fishing with Rod, riding in their boat, camping on the lake, and playing on the beach with her family.  She taught all nine of her grandkids how to swim in their pool.  Donna passed along her affection for the water to the kids and grandkids – each summer the family looks forward to Ivy Beach Week.  She loved spending time with her family and lifelong girlfriends.  Donna went on trips with her friends to New York City, Hawaii, and Mexico.  She enjoyed going on cruises and if we are telling the truth, she loved the slot machines.  She enjoyed sports, gardening, and cooking.

Sweet Donna was an encourager.  And her constant love and support nurtured great things in the legacy she leaves behind.  Her influence and her belief in those she loved molded a communicator, a teacher, and a coach.  Donna gave reassurance to an intellectual free thinker, a courageous world traveler, and a creative business owner.  She was overjoyed to have a bright engineer and another promising teacher in the family. She gave inspiration to a compassionate nurse and a future healthcare provider.  Donna had a heart for the Aggies and loved that she still had grandkids attending Texas A&M University.  She looked forward to hearing about their college experiences and never missed an opportunity to play the Aggie War Hymn.  Donna was a big fan of anything her family was doing and rarely missed a performance, game, or race.  She will continue to cheer you on – Go Brahmas!  Sweet Donna’s warmth made it easy to talk with her.  Some of her favorite times were spent listening to her youngest and quietest granddaughter talk about her day when she picked her up after school.  She felt so privileged to share these moments.  She was so proud of her family, and she loved them fiercely.

We celebrate this beautiful soul and the light that shined on so many with gladness.  Donna is preceded in death by her parents Lena and Finis Curtis, her brother Gene Curtis, and her loving husband Rodney Ivy.  She is survived by her sister Naomi Campbell of Mesquite, TX.   She leaves behind her three children and their families: Cheryl and Steven Ramirez, Brooke and Todd Swoboda and Kyle and Tracey Ivy, grandchildren Raleigh Ross, Madeline Ross, Savannah Ross Alvarado, Maggie Ramirez, Hallie Ramirez, Carson Swoboda, Layton Swoboda, Weston Swoboda, Kyra Ivy, Trezzie Ivy, Reese Ivy, and great grandchild, Casey Smith.

Visitation for Donna will take place 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 8, 2022 at Sterling White Funeral Home with funeral services to begin at 11:00 a.m. (11011 Crosby Lynchburg Rd., Highlands, Texas 77562) with interment to follow in Sterling White Cemetery.