1947-2024
It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Donna Annette Maltbie: a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and dear friend. Donna sunsetted peacefully on Monday, November 18, 2024 at the age of 77. She was surrounded by her family on the date of her passing, the family that she spent her entire life ensuring was taken care of.
Born on October 20, 1947 in Spartanburg, SC, Donna was a woman of boundless love, unwavering strength, and profound wisdom. She was the heart of our family, always there with open arms, a listening ear, and a heart full of compassion. She is survived by her children: Charles Maltbie II, Todd Maltbie, Brett Maltbie, Talitha Maltbie, and James Maltbie. Her grandchildren: Ryan Maltbie (Samantha), Cheyenne Maltbie, Cierah Maltbie, Xan Maltbie, Connor Mick, Nagozi (Zizi) Maltbie, Caitlin Langdon-George, and Camdyn Maltbie. Her great-grandchildren: Brayden Maltbie, Audrey Maltbie, Harper Maltbie, Jaxon Maltbie, Tylor Hammon, and Elijah Hammon. Her sisters: Jeri Rowland (Kip), Darlene Gross (Mike), and Leona Skidmore. Her nephews: Casey Rowland, Shawn Rowland, Richard Iozzi, and Robert Iozzi.
Donna was not just a source of endless joy and comfort, but a beacon for those even outside of her family. Her nurturing spirit and ability to make anyone she met feel special were just some of the qualities that made her so beloved. She was a friend to all, an unselfish one at that, who understood at times that even if months or years went by without a conversation, you could still pick up like you spoke to each other yesterday. Her smile was infectious, her laugh was something that, even if it wasn’t funny, her laugh alone would get you. Her dance…boy did she dance like no one was watching, within an instant a song could go from a normal song, to “this is Donnas Jam”. She lit up every room she entered, and when she left, you knew Donna was there. She was a dedicated woman, someone who was headstrong, maybe sometimes too much, but she ensured that everything she touched and worked on had her stamp of approval.
Death and the passing of a loved one, especially someone as loved and respected as Donna, is not an easy thing to process. The hardness in the loss shows truly how much of an impact she had on all those that came in contact with her, or those lucky enough to call her Mom, or Grandma, and even Great Grandma. She gave not only the best advice, but understood when you didn’t follow it, showed little to no frustration and simply allowed herself to see the positive in every hardship, and opportunity.
Donna showed many characteristics and traits during her life, all of which she gave as lessons to her children, and Grand Children, but none more important than the simple characteristic of Faith, and how she leaned on it every day. Her faith in her Heavenly Father Jehovah was nothing she was shy of preaching, quite the opposite, whether days were good, or days were bad, she would always use them as a time to reflect on the blessings that she has been given in her life. She instilled this into all of her children, and would often times use it as a learning lesson to always lean on your Heavenly Father. She spoke the truth, was not afraid to shy away from her faith even when feeling obligated, and knew that through her Heavenly Father, anything was possible.
While Donna Maltbie is no longer with us, you can still see her if you look closer in the family. You will see how even when she’s gone, she can bring love and family back together, while even though we cannot hear her laugh, we can see it in the smiles and joys of generations to come, and how even though we may not be able to seek advice from her, we still have the ability of leaning on the one that she leaned on during enduring and stressful times. Donna will be missed greatly, this is a loss for our family that will be felt for many years. However, she will be remembered, honored and discussed within the family for years to come. The impact she made on our lives, effected, and will effect generations to come. It will be hard to move on without her, she will be deeply missed, but never forgotten because we know you are only sleeping until it is time to be resurrected.
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