Donna Jean McCamey

Donna Jean Pace McCamey was born June 22, 1948, in Birmingham Alabama to William Pace and Gloria Natalie Donehue. Her family moved to Detroit Michigan when she was young. She loved to spend time with her aunts and uncles as a child and often spoke of family outings. It was there in Detroit that she began to develop her fond love of music as she often spoke of seeing many of the up-and-coming stars of Motown. Donna was the oldest of 7 children. She would often talk about growing up in Milwaukee and the cold winters there. In 1967 Donna married Hollis McCamey in Southern California and they had their first child Kimberly who would die of meningitis soon after being born. They would later welcome their son Ronald followed by Sophia and Melissa a few years later. Donna loved spending time with her mother and talking on the phone with her as well as her other siblings. She also loved talking to her friend Sarah whom she worked with at the Marriot in New Orleans. She loved to go out on outings with her son Ron and eat something good afterwards. She really loved music as mentioned earlier. One of her favorite bands she would listen to till this day is Earth Wind and Fire or the Isley Brothers. As children we would always be banished to either our rooms or outside while mom listened to her music inside. Donna also loved talking about going to church with her Uncle Roland when she was young and how her stepfather Leon who she loved, would read the bible. Donna would often talk about Jesus to us kids which is why we serve Him till this day. In September of 1986 Donna made a decision to leave Southern California for Louisiana. A decision that all three of her children thank her for because it was a life-or-death situation. Donna was a determined get it done type of person. She did not let life’s roadblocks keep her down. She made sure to provide shelter, food and clothing for her children and if you needed anything she would give you the shirt off her back or her very last penny. She was always curious about her family history and helped Georgia, a relative on our father’s side of the family connect the dots to her own ancestry. Mom also found out about her own history connecting with a nephew named Willie via Face Book on her father’s side of the family. Donna would have some health challenges, but one great miracle was that she received a Kidney Transplant in 2002 that saved her life. The transplant added 20 more years to her life and gave her time to see the birth of her two Grandchildren Aaliyah and Gregory. She enjoyed watching them grow and spending time with them. She was the best Grandma ever! During her last few years on this earth, Donna went through many health conditions. Her strength to endure the pain and suffering going on in her body was to be admired. She was a fighter. Donna left this life on September 8, 2022. We have peace that she is no longer suffering. And will deeply miss her. She leaves to cherish her memories and is survived by Son Ronald McCamey, Daughters Sophia McCamey, Melissa Nickelson spouse Gregory Nickelson. Her Sister Sharon Baptiste, Brother Leon “Ricky “Gash, Sister Cassaundra Tyler, Sister Cheryl Gash and her two grandchildren Aaliyah and Gregory Nickelson Jr., Nieces and Nephews. Donna was preceded in death by her parents Gloria Donehue Gash, father William pace, Stepfather Leon Gash. Daughter Kimberly McCamey, Brother Michael Gash, Sister Yvonne Campbell and husband Hollis McCamey. A message from her children: Ronald: I love you Mom! I know you’re in Heaven with Jesus and enjoying your new body! Thank you for being a rock in my life and for the fun adventures we had over the years. I will miss our breakfast, lunch, or dinner at various restaurants Sophia: Mama, I will always love you and cherish the wonderful times we laughed over a movie or joke on our sofa. Your strength to endure was great. Your get it done attitude was an example to be followed. I miss you deeply and am glad you are at rest now and not suffering. Thank you for telling us about Jesus that we may grow to know him for ourselves. Melissa: Love you mom, will miss you forever. Thank you for teaching me determination and strength. Rest in Peace Mom.

Tributes

Donna Jean McCamey

June 22, 1948 - September 8, 2022