Donna Dowdy

Mrs. Donna J. Dowdy passed away Sunday, January 25, 2026, at her residence in Saginaw, Michigan. Age 80 years. Donna was born May 11, 1945, in Akron, Ohio, to Dorothy Lee and Darnell Fisher.

Donna migrated from Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Saginaw in 1976 with her husband, John Dowdy, and family to support John’s new position with the State of Michigan Department of Corrections. Donna was raised from a very young age by a very special individual whom she referred to as Dad, and who was known affectionately to her children as Granddaddy, Elmore Jackson, who preceded her in death.

Donna graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1966 and attended both Kalamazoo Community College and Western Michigan University.

Once settled in her new home in Saginaw, Donna made her very first connections with Ms. Lillian Prophet and Ms. Jeanne Patton, who were her neighbors. They formed a bond that really served as the sisterhood Donna did not have to growing up as an only child. 

Donna worked several secretarial jobs before she was hired at Michigan Bell, where she worked for a number of years prior to being introduced to the world of Mary Kay Cosmetics by her cousin, Dr. Barbara Carter. This was the work she was born to do! This new work as an Independent Beauty Consultant was empowering for her. She had her case and her pink lab coat, and she hit the ground running in pursuit of a career in helping woman with self-care and recognizing both their inner and outer beauty through skin care classes.

Donna earned many accolades as she honed her craft and earned top honors as a Producer, including the privilege of driving a Mary Kay car and time spent as Director of a team of recruits who believed in her vision of success that they could achieve just as she had. She often traveled to Dallas, Texas, to attend Mary Kay conventions, where she would receive recognition for her hard work! Mary Kay afforded Donna the opportunity to meet and touch the lives of so many women and men here in Saginaw and as far away as Detroit. She handed out her business cards at the grocery store, the mall, restaurants, and even in the restroom! No place was off limits for her to make that special connection! I know that she is very grateful for all the women and men who allowed her to touch their lives.

Donna leaves to cherish her memory three sons, Maurice (Kim), Wesley (Danielle), and Ashon; one daughter, Stephanie (Chris). Donna was also blessed with four beautiful granddaughters, Ariel, Alisha, Avery, and Aleah; two grandsons, Zachary and Mekayle; and one great-grandson, Amir. Donna cherished her cousins, affectionately referred to as Cousin Bobbie (Dr. Barbara Carter), Cousin Jean (Brown), and Cousin Jimmy (McMillan). Donna was very fond of her sister-in-law, Kitty Dowdy.

Soon after moving to Saginaw, Donna found a church home at Bethal AME Church. She was a very active member who could often be seen guiding churchgoers in her white dress and white gloves as a member of Usher Board #2. She often stood at the podium to read the Church announcements. She was also a dedicated member of the Courtesy Committee, Women’s Missionary Society, National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, and served as President of the local Women’s Progressive Club, as giving back to her community was an important commitment to her.

Donna lived a full and fruitful life, spending time with friends and family, participating in and attending church functions and traveling to spend time with her grandchildren. She had a special love for horses and she found joy with any opportunity to be in their presence. She also loved greeting strangers with a compliment to brighten their day. To know her was to love her. To know her is to miss her. Heaven is shining brighter.

Donna was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John C. Dowdy, in 2014; her mother, Dorthy Jackson; stepfather, Elmore Jackson; and her son Dalton.

Special mention to her family at the Stylz Hair and Nail Salon. Lamont and the entire team always took extra special care and she loved spending time at the salon, often long after her appointment was finished. There was a special love they enveloped her in and we love and thank them for that!