Donna Ruth King Smart

Ms. Donna Ruth King Smart, 80, of Elberton, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at Elbert Memorial Hospital. Ms. Smart was most recently a resident of Magnolia Estates and a former resident of Petersburg Village.

Born in Elberton on September 21, 1944, she completed the family of James Claude King and Frances Priscilla Cooper King, joining older sister Joan. Donna was a 1962 graduate of Elbert County High School and was Valedictorian of her class. She furthered her education at Truett McConnell Junior College where she was Valedictorian of the 1964 class, and graduated from Mercer University with the class of 1966.

Ms. Smart began her career teaching high school English at Telfair County High School in 1964. She continued teaching until 1995 when she retired from Elbert County High School. She was dedicated to her career and students, delicately planning lessons to ensure her students experienced English/Literature in a unique way.

Donna was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Elberton. She was a member of the church choir, church prayer ministry, and the Alpha Louree Sunday School class. A remarkable prayer warrior, Ms. Smart devoted herself to praying for family, friends, and strangers a like. She gave selflessly of herself, spending time visiting and praying with nursing home residents as long as her health permitted. Donna was an excellent card writer who never missed an opportunity to send greeting cards with heartfelt messages included in them.

A lifelong lover of music, Ms. Smart was an excellent pianist and sang solos. Above all, she loved her family dearly and her legacy of love and dedication will live on through them.

Affectionately known as “Dondee”, she leaves behind her sister, Joan King Shive and her husband Edwin of Elberton; nieces: Ladonna Shive Daughtry and her husband Bill of Elberton and Tamara Shive Brown and her husband Ken of Flowery Branch; and great-nieces and nephews: Madeline Daughtry of Athens, Spencer Daughtry of Athens, Cooper Brown of Flowery Branch, and McKenna Brown of Flowery Branch.

Donna’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, April 12, 2025. The family will greet visitors in the First Baptist Church fellowship hall from 1:00-1:45p.m. Funeral services, officiated by the Revs. Gary Purvis and Tim Adams, will follow at 2:00p.m. in the First Baptist Church sanctuary. Graveside services, officiated by the Rev. Jim McCollough, will follow in Elmhurst Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Cooper Brown, Spencer Daughtry, Ken Brown, and Bill Daughtry, and the Alpha Louree Sunday School class will serve as honorary escort. During other times the family will be at the home of Edwin and Joan Shive, Country Club Road, Elberton.

Flowers are accepted and contributions may be made in her memory to First Baptist Church of Elberton, 132 Heard Street, Elberton, GA 30635.

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Ms. Donna Ruth King Smart.