Donna Heard
June 26, 2020
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Service Details
Donna Jean Heard, age 77, passed away Friday, June 26, 2020.
Donna was born October 31, 1942 in Des Moines, Iowa, the daughter of Thomas and Helen (Cross) Clay, Sr. She was employed by Des Moines Public Schools as a child caregiver. She served faithfully in that capacity for 21 years, from August of 1997 through May of 2018. Donna enjoyed watching Tiger Woods play golf, jigsaw puzzles, shopping, and reading the Sunday newspaper. She also liked playing games on her computer, going to the casino, and she was a talented cook. Above all, Donna loved spending time with her family. One of her favorite pastimes was watching the State Fair Parade and attending the Iowa State Fair.
She is survived by her children, Bonita L. (Marvin) Heard-Harris, Samuel L. Heard Jr., Michael L. Heard, Janine A. Heard, Kevin T. Heard, Pamela J. Heard, Youlanda M. (Martell) Bolden, Amos E. Heard, Jr( Monica)., Michelle D. Howe-Heard, and Mary L. Wells (Anthony) ; former spouse, Samuel L. Heard, Sr.; sister-in-law, Annette Heard; brothers-in-law, Harold E. Lee, Robert Edmonds, and Jesse Heard Sr.; and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other extended family, and friends.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Helen Clay; siblings, Robert Fowler, James Clay, Sr., Malcom Guinn, Thomas N. Clay, Bernard B. Clay, Rose A. Edmonds, Darlene Woods; stepsister, Shirley Guinn-Cotton; longtime partner, James Oliver Lee; son, Preston Cecil Scott; and her granddaughter, Ameisha Michelle Heard.
Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m., followed by funeral service at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Burial will take place at Glendale Cemetery.
Pallbearers: Marvin Dale Harris, Jr., Bernard Lee Heard, Sr., Fred Huddleston, Raymond Oakley, Jr., Joey Burrell, Marvin Dale Harris, Sr., Martell W. Bolden, Sr.
Honorary Pallbearers: Robert Wilson, Michael L. Heard, Sr., Samuel L. Heard, Jr., Micheal Heard, Jr., James A. Clay, Jr., Kevin T. Heard, Amos Estes Heard III, E. C. Webster, Anthony Wells, Clifford Meriwether, Jr., Reginald Fowler, Clyde McGregor, Stanley L. Brown, James T. Vasey, Kevon Heard
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Donna.
Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Tyan Keyes-Ballard
07/07/2020
I will forever cherish the time we spent together while I spent summers in Iowa with my sisters.
Say hello to Nannie for me! Till we meet again....
I love you.
Toni Pinta
07/07/2020
Our thought's and prayers go out to your family.
Pam. If you need anything let me know..
Jamee
07/07/2020
DONNA WAS A VERY NICE BEAUTIFUL OUTGOING LADY AND WILL BE MISSED DEARLY..... HER SON MICHAEL IS MY BEST FRIEND
Jennifer stickel
07/07/2020
Donna will always be in my memories wearing that beautiful smile and the loving bond she shared with her children. Donna had grace and class that is unforgettable and very special. God bless the family. You all have an Angel in Heaven as she was on earth
Anita Fleming-Rife
07/07/2020
I just learned last night that my first, best friend has transitioned. It was Donna Jean Clay Heard--four-years my senior--who took me to the local wading pool before I ever started school; it was Donna who taught me how to put on lipstick that we borrowed from her older sister, Rose, when I was maybe 5. It was Donna who helped me bake cakes in the 1950s equivalent of an Easy Bake oven. As the youngest in her family, it was Donna who took pleasure in bossing me, an only child, around. I so looked up to her; she was like my big sister.
Last fall, my former, investigative journalist self kicked in and I found my first, best friend. After nearly six decades of being separated, we immediately fell right back into our way of being, she chose the restaurant where we would meet, she determined the date, and time we would meet, and she demanded that she pay for our meal. I am so glad that I had that time with herI told her how much I loved her and appreciated our early years together. She brought pictures of her family and glowed as she shared them--all of them. She told me about her career with DMPS. Since that time, Coronavirus arrived and she was on my mind a lot, but I kept putting off calling her because of itit was the 4th of July when I reminded myself to call her Monday because Corona was going no place soon. It was Sunday night that I learned that she had passed June 26. I am so grateful to God that I had that one last chance to reconnect with Donna Jean. Her kind, sweet spirit will be with me forever more. My heartfelt prayers and condolences are with her children and all of her family.
Sherry Amos
07/06/2020
I worked with Donna for a few years at McKinley and she was someone that always made me smile when I would see her! She was a kind, nurturing soul that made an impact on those that knew her! Deepest condolences to her family!
MARGENELE CARROLL
07/06/2020
My heart is broken. You had been my rock since my mom (your sister) passed away 15 years ago. You had such a loving kind spirit. I will miss you tremendously. I will always love you and remember the times we had. Rest in peace Aunt Donna!!
Praying for all of the family
Denise R Collier
07/01/2020
Praying for Gods comfort and strength during this journey.