Donna "Donnie Jean" Briggs

To our beloved mom/grandma/wife

Donna Jean Briggs (Faulkner) passed away peacefully in her home with her husband, two daughters, son, and granddaughter by her side on January 22, 2023.

Donna filled so many roles in her life, daughter, mom, grandma, wife. We are so grateful that God blessed us with her in each of our lives.

The grandkids drove her crazy with the consistent slamming of doors and trapsing in mud, but they were the apple of her eye. She loved bragging about them. She never missed a wrestling tournament and heaven help anyone that talked ill about her grandkids. She wasn’t just a mother bear to her kids the instinct encompassed all grandkids.

Crystal: Grandma was gruff at times, but she had a huge heart. She was always there and was a safe-haven and was accepting.

Maria: To say Donna was one of a kind is an understatement. From the first moment I met her, she was like no grandmother I ever met, which is exactly what I loved about her the most. I wish we had more time together, I wish you had the chance to meet our future child, to be the unique grandmother you were to us, but rest in peace knowing that he or she will know you. Goodbye my “Oh God” grandma.

Kirstie: A favorite memory that I cherish was getting to talk and laugh during our rides to and from the hospital appointments.

Gary: I enjoyed eating at Wendy’s on grocery trips every weekend. She will be in everyone’s hearts forever.

Wayne: Grandma went to my wrestling matches and when we moved, she watched the tournaments live on Facebook. She will always be loved.

Taylor: A funny memory was when she watched me when I was little, and I would wake her up from her naps and asked her if she could get me an oatmeal crème pie.
A happy memory was having Grandpa and Grandma over on Christmas Eve for chili and cinnamon rolls and then going to Christmas Eve Candlelight service together. Grandma loved the rugged cross and the stain glass windows.

Hayley: I always enjoyed Grandpa and Grandma over for dinners at our house. When I was younger, they always came over for my birthday and we watched the Crippled Lamb movie together to kick off the Christmas season. Grandma showed me her tender heart in how she cared for animals and people. To this day Christmas is always my most favorite time of year.

Faith: Grandma always had the best spunky and sassy personality. She would always know how to make you smile in seconds or irritate you in seconds, but most of all she is an amazing grandma and always will be to me.

Jonah and Jeremiah: We always remember grandma giving us “the look” when we got to loud wrestling in the living room on holiday visits.

Melissa: My mom is the strongest women in the world who showed me how to be a fearless woman and how to love with all my heart. My favorite time was dancing in the trailer to Elvis with everyone.

Kevin: I admire Donna for being a loving mom to her children and a wonderful wife to Howard, a great grandmother to my boys. She wore her thoughts and emotions on her sleeve. She was not fake and did not care what anyone thought. She was an Elvis fan; cannot get any cooler than that!

Brian: Mom was a fearless mother bear that would protect her young to the end. The end has come for our time together on earth, but I promise you mom we will all be together again someday. You will be missed but not forgotten.

Amy: I enjoyed our long talks and how she welcomed me into her home and family since my junior year of high school.

Devra: The first word that comes to mind to describe my mom is “sassy.” She never would take any guff from anyone. She was the only person who could scare me by just her look alone. I miss you so much Mom!

Gary: I remember Donna being a school bus driver when I was in high school. The trips to school were adventurous the same as she lived life.

Howard: Donna had a love for her horses and dogs. She always made sure Gracie and Cleo had enough food. Donna loved feeding French fries to her dogs Ariel and Snickerdoodles. Her dog King was her dream dog. She loved scratch off tickets and frequented the casino. One of her most favorite times was hitting the slots in Las Vegas. Her favorite saying was cha-ching!

The following is a poem that Donna liked.

I Heard Your Voice in the Wind Today

I heard your voice in the wind today
And I turned to see your face;
The warmth of the wind caressed me
As I stood silently in place.

I felt your touch in the sun today
As its warmth filled the sky;
I closed my eyes for your embrace
And my spirit soared high.

I saw your eyes in the windowpane
as I watched the falling rain;
It seemed as each raindrop fell
It quietly said your name.

I held you close in my heart today
It made me feel complete;
You may have died…but you are not gone
You will always be a part of me.

As long as the sun shines…
The wind blows…
The rain falls…
You will live on inside of me forever
For that is all my heart knows.

-Unknown


Donna, you will always live on through your teachings, your memories; You will live on inside of our hearts forever.

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