Donna Lewis Banta

It is true that Donna Banta brought such beauty to the world around her through her art, but it was through her tender spirit and heart that beat to serve that she truly blessed others. It was clear to see that her faith was her constant companion, and it was no secret that there was nothing of greater significance in her life than the day she realized that Jesus loved her just the way she was. Although she loved being a mother, Donna just may have argued that becoming a grandmother was the very best part. Life will never be the same without her here, but her many friends and loved ones will forever hold Donnas memory near. The decade of the thirties is remembered as one of the most trying times in our nations history due to the unrelenting grip of the Great Depression. With an unemployment rate in the mid-twenties, countless Americans were without jobs, which also left many families without homes as well. Despite the harsh conditions that surrounded them, a young family from Knoxville, Tennessee, was anxiously awaiting the birth of their third baby. It was on March 31, 1934, that baby Donna Lewis was welcomed into the hearts and home of her parents, Samuel Waller and Laura Lewis (Lawhon) Anderson, Sr. She joined her older siblings, Margaret and Samuel, in her family and with her birth their family was complete. Donnas father was the vice president of Miller Department Store while her mother was a busy homemaker. Trying days were in store for their young family when Donna almost died at just nine months of age. In many ways Donnas childhood was not uncommon for the youth of her generation. She was raised in the family home out in the country along the banks of the Tennessee River. Donna was an active young girl who enjoyed horseback riding, swimming, playing hide and seek in addition to all kinds of other childhood games, and telling ghost stories around a campfire. She had special friendships with Katherine Andese, Jody Hodges, and Kristine Balder, and she enjoyed going away to camp. Life in the Anderson family was always a bustle of activity. Donna and her siblings could often be found gathered around the radio in the evenings listening to horror stories with the lights turned off. They continued trying to spook each other long after the programs ended. As a family they enjoyed trips to Florida on two separate occasions as well as a trip to New York once. The Andersons also went bowling frequently and attended First Baptist Church where her granddaddy was a deacon. Even from a young age Donna seemed destined for great success. She was quite a singer who won first and second places in a statewide singing competition. Donna also met Liberace and even played a gig with Louis Armstrong on one occasion. She attended local schools including Mt. Olive Tyson Jr. High School. Donna went on to West High School where she sang and was a cheerleader. She always treasured the time she went out on the river in a sailboat with her high school friends. They asked her to sing her favorite song, Indian Love Call on an island with another young man who was also a gifted singer. After graduating from high school, Donna went on to Stephens College where she took a drama class with the legendary George C. Scott as her teacher. She graduated after completing her formal education there. Life was forever changed for Donna when her brother brought home a young man named Pete Parker while she was busy painting a wall mural at the young age of 16. Sparks flew between Donna and Pete, and they soon fell deeply in love. They were married some time later and had a daughter, Ansley. Sometime later Donna married US Jones and was blessed with the love of her life daughter, Stacey. She fully immersed herself into her role as a mother and loved spending time with her girls whenever she could. Donna continued pursuing her passion for art, music, and dancing into her adult years. Her first aspirations were to become a singer but since nobody wanted to hear opera and she was scared to death to perform in front of a crowd, Donna pursued a career in art. She once sold an 8ft x10ft picture for $1200, but in all actuality she would have done it for nothing since creating masterpieces was simply her passion. Donnas paintings were second to none, and for 25 years she owned and operated her studio, Mark of the Turtle. There were so many things Donna loved doing in addition to her artwork. She enjoyed having animals from the time she was a young girl as she had a horse, cow & monkeys during her younger years. Later in life Donna had dogs & cats. She enjoyed nurturing friendships with people she loved including Kristine Balder, Bob and Beverly Dime, Robb Dime, Pastor Ron McClain, Amy Olechnowicz, Sue, Joe & Christian McCarthy. The holidays were always special times to Donna as she treasured spending them with her children and grandchildren. She had a sweet tooth that always seemed to really get out of hand during the night. Although Donna denied it every time, she was known to get out of bed during the night to get into the candy and ice cream. In fact, she even got locked out of the house on one occasion while she was getting ice cream, leaving her to break in. This time, however, her family caught her red handed! For many years Donna possessed a vibrant faith and had a very personal relationship with Jesus. She loved giving to others and viewed every person as a special gift. Donna always said that when you know Christ personally, you can live a life of giving to others and that in doing so, you come to know the greatest joy you can receive in this life. Donna felt that the most fun was in watching God use her to help someone else in His own unique and perfect way. Donna Banta will be missed for her words of wisdom, her unending love for those around her, and the hugs she so freely gave. Her family will especially miss hearing her favorite saying, Come here, darlin. The memories she leaves behind will be a lasting treasure for generations to come. Donna L. Banta died Friday, October 21, 2011. Donnas family includes her daughters, Stacey (Robb) Dime of Grand Haven and Ansley (Nils-Eric) Larsson of TN; stepson, Sammy (Joyce) Jones of TN; grandchildren, Breen (Matthew) Owen, Austin (Lauren Hatt) Burkhardt, Mylon Burkhardt, Mackenzie Burkhardt, Alex (Catherine) Quinlin, Drew (Dan) Hannon, Max Quinlin, Jacob Jones, Joshua Jones, Jonathan Jones, and Vanessa (Brent) Chorny; brother, Samuel Jr. (Shirley) Waller Anderson of TN. Donna was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Pete Parker, US Jones, and sister, Margaret Johnson. Services will be held on Tuesday, October 25, 2011, 11:00 a.m. at Clock Chapel-Grand Haven with Pastor Ron McClain officiating. Interment at Lakeshore Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday, 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Grand Haven. Memorial contribution may be made to American Cancer Society. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory.