Donna Marie Paul

Donna Marie Paul, 88, passed away at Willow Care on January 28, 2023. She was born on February 3, 1934, to William and Faye Herrold.  

She was raised in Granger, Iowa, where she went to school and loved to play basketball. Upon graduation, she worked for an insurance company until September 20, 1952, when she married her high school sweetheart, Rolland "Pig" Paul. From that union, they had three children, Deanna McNew, Paula West, who resides in Warrensburg, Missouri, and Mike. Deanna and Mike preceded her in death. She had six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.  

Pig and Donna moved several times in her life, but the biggest move was in July 1969, when they and their three children moved to Willow Springs to operate a farm called Pork Plantation. Donna was very active in the farm, plus keeping the pedigree up to date on the farm and shipping of the "feeder pigs." She was very active in Eastern Star and Rainbow Girls. She also found time to be very active in town (which was very unusual for farm wives) by being president of the Chamber of Commerce and one-time was honored as the Citizen of the Year by the Chamber.

Her primary hobby was sewing. She also was very active and enjoyed holding events at the farm, entertaining people that came to visit and entertaining local people at annual functions like a super bowl party, New Year's breakfast, and the sale crew party for the local people that helped twice a year at the hog sales. For any event that was drawn up, her home was always an open house for her children, her children's friends, and some political turnout.

Donna was a member of the United Methodist Church. She was a Sunday School teacher and a board member.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 10, at United Methodist Church, Willow Springs, Missouri, under the direction of Yarber Mortuary, Willow Springs. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10-11:00 a.m. also at the church. Interment will be in Willow Springs Cemetery, Willow Springs, marked by Pig and Donna's headstone she helped design. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the United Methodist Church, 311 N. Harris, Willow Springs, MO 65793. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.