Donna Monica Gail Vaughn Smith

Donna begins a new adventure, but this is nothing unusual for her. Since she was a child Donna loved to set out on journeys and experiences-along untrod paths to uncertain destinations-and in doing so found joy, meaning, and purpose in life. At age 18, Donna chose to attend college at the farthest location that her parents would allow: Mars Hill. It was there that she developed her love of the mountains, and her open-minded curiosity about different cultures and peoples. After graduating, she began her long career as an educator: first as a first grade teacher in intercity Durham, and then as a volunteer for the Peace Corps. The two years she spent in service in Sierra Leone were among the most formative in her life. By herself in a totally different world, with a thatched hut to sleep in and motorcycle to travel, she forged her own way to do what she loved doing-teaching.
After returning from her service abroad, Donna moved to Asheville to work at the Children's Grammar School. It was there that she met the love of her life, Bob, to whom she was married for 46 years. Donna was a devoted wife, but she found her deepest meaning in being a mother. Donna, ever the teacher, made sure that her sons knew how to read, write, and do arithmetic as early as possible, and she encouraged them in their every interest. She even helped to found the first charter school in Western North Carolina, Francine Delany New School for Children, because she was not satisfied with the state of public education when her youngest son began primary school.
At age 50, Donna converted to Catholicism, choosing St. Monica, who was the mother of two unique sons as her patron saint. She was drawn to the church by her deep respect for Mother Teresa and her appreciation of the Eucharist. She was a woman of faith-committed to prayer and the sacraments despite the many ups and downs of life. Her conversion brought her to her longest and most beloved teaching role: as Mrs. Smith at Asheville Catholic School. There, for two decades, she taught 3rd and 5th grades, and with her loving expertise she reached students who struggled-particularly with reading (as she had when she was a child)-to catch up with their peers, and even to love reading as she did. Donna loved her students intensely: she believed in them, prayed for them, and kept up with their trajectories long after they left her classroom.
At age 70, Donna was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia and given one year to live. By her sheer grit, good attitude, spiritual life, and dedication to her health, she exceeded the time that she was given by more than 500%. In her illness, she volunteered for every medical trial that she was eligible for in hopes that she could help others faced with the same illness. Up to the end, Donna was a pioneer-when she felt led she went-not needing to know where she'd end up: trusting God and his providence would provide. Her last words and her favorite prayer are the refrain of her beautiful life: "Jesus, I trust in you."
As she sets off on this new adventure she does not go alone. Among the throng of martyrs, angels, and saints of God welcomping her into paradise are many familiar faces: her infant sister Carolyn Patricia; parents: Clarence and Irene Vaughn, aunts, uncles, and saintly grandparents George, Etta, and Florence. The most joyful reunion, though, will be with 'her sweetie' Bob. She has fulfilled the promise she made to him on his deathbed: that she would join him soon. Left to mourn her are her two sons: David Ryan Smith of New York and Christopher Vaughn Smith of Asheville, NC; sisters: Judy (Charles) and Lynette Vaughn; sisters in-law: D. Smith and Mo Casey, nephews: Jeffrey and Kevin Minor, nieces: Barbara and Chernean Stokeley and Shamika Litttlejohn, and her beloved caregivers and honorary family members: Yolanda Blair and Alexis Fair.
An informal wake will be held at the home on Friday, November 7, with the family receiving guests from 5:00-7:00PM. The mass of Christian Burial will take place the next day, Saturday, November 8 at 11:00AM, at the Basilica of St. Lawrence, with the Rev. Msgr. Roger Arnsparger presiding. The rite of committal will follow in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Donna's honor to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Beloved of Asheville, or The Basilica of St. Lawrence Restoration Fund.
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