Donna R. Culverhouse

Donna Rae Culverhouse (neé Harris), 84, of St. Johns, Michigan died on October 13, 2018 surrounded by people who loved her. Donna was born on May 2, 1934 in Riverside, Michigan. She retired from Benton Harbor Area Schools after many years as an Inventory Control Secretary. She was an avid reader, prolific writer and an enthusiastic moviegoer. She was a fan of all kinds of music and loved going to concerts, including her favorite, Johnny Mathis. She was a sports fan and especially enjoyed cheering on her son’s Little League baseball team, as well as the Detroit Tigers. Donna enjoyed adventures, whether it was travelling around America or relocating to Portland, Oregon for a few years. Donna’s proudest achievement, however, was being a mother to Vicki and Roger and grandmother to Amanda. She was blessed to have a loving relationship with both her children, as well as her granddaughter, and counted the time she spent in their company the best part of her life. She had a soft spot for her son-in-law, Paul, and loved spending time talking sports and shooting the breeze with him. Donna’s capacity for love was limitless. If she loved you; you knew it. She always greeted family and friends with a big hug and a warm smile. She had many lifelong friends, most notably Molly Curry of Columbia, South Carolina, with whom she maintained a close bond despite decades of living in different parts of the country. Donna looked forward to getting cards with newsy notes from high school buddy, Patricia Day. Donna regularly wrote long letters to her friends and family, filling them with funny anecdotes, details about her life, and opinions on everything from politics and culture to the latest Hollywood heartthrobs. She always observed birthday and Christmas holidays with staggering generosity. During the last years of her life, Donna lived at Country Meadows Adult Foster Care home where she became a part of the family. Marlene Auten and Dianna McMurphy-Shellito doted on Donna while they provided for her every need, and roommate, Cheryl Tickner, was Donna’s friend and spiritual guide. Donna is survived by her children, Vicki (Paul) Shaver of Haslett, Michigan and Roger Culverhouse II of Stevensville, Michigan; her grandchild, Amanda (Matthew) Koch; her three great-grandchildren, Emma, Abram and Eva of St. Joseph, Michigan, and a sister, Carole (Larry) Rennick of Tampa, Florida as well as several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Roger Culverhouse; her parents Ray Harris and Clarice Hamilton; and her brother, Ronald Harris. The family would like to thank Hospice nurse, Cindy Dole, BSN, whose care and guidance provided comfort to Donna and her family. A private service is planned to honor Donna. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Donna’s memory be made to Hospice of Lansing, 3186 Pine Tree Lansing, Michigan, https://hospiceoflansing.org/. Those wishing to sign Donna’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. .