Donna Deason Davis

Donna Deason Davis, 82, of Lizella, Georgia, passed away in Macon, Georgia on September 19, 2026. Born Donna Marie Deason in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of Harrison Eugene Deason and June Deason. She was raised in Byron, Georgia, and spent most of her adult life in Macon and Lizella.

Donna was loving, compassionate and sweet. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a smile that could light up the world. She was thoughtful and great observer of nature, people and the world around her. Throughout her life, she continued to discover more about herself and had the courage to live according to what she found.

Donna grew up in a different time, when the possibilities available to women were often more narrowly defined than they are today. As the social changes of the late 1960s and 1970s opened new possibilities, Donna began to discover a life that felt more true to who she was. She made the difficult decision to leave her marriage in upstate New York and return to Georgia with her infant son, Matthew. She settled back in Macon and began working as a nurse, building a life for herself and her son through determination, hard work and a willingness to take on whatever challenges came her way.

An early example of this determination and resourcefulness comes from when she was fresh out of nursing school: her first nursing job required her to drive her boss around in his Cadillac. Donna didn't even know how to drive a car, but that did not stop her from saying she could. After a few starts and stops, in no time she was driving her boss all around town.

She was a devoted mother to Matthew and worked hard to provide for him. She was his rock, always there with love and support throughout his life. They shared a strong bond that remained constant throughout the years. She was equally proud of her grandchildren, Rose and Dylan, and was a loving presence and role model in their lives.

The freedom Donna found in the 1970s extended into many parts of her life. She embraced the changing world around her, met many wonderful people and formed friendships and relationships that became important parts of her life. Through these experiences, she gradually discovered more about herself and the person she wanted to be.

In the 1980s, Donna discovered bicycling and running. She became part of a wonderful community of friends who biked and ran their way across Georgia, forming friendships that endured for the rest of her life.

In the mid-1990s, Donna met Jane Darby at High Street Unitarian Universalist Church. It did not take long for them to realize that they had found something special. They began their life together in 1994. Jane was a gay rights activist and Donna quickly joined in the fight for equality, working closely with organizations such as Macon Pride. At a time when same-sex marriage was not legally recognized and committed same-sex relationships were not as widely accepted, Donna and Jane proudly built a life together. They formally committed themselves to one another before the law recognized their marriage. When marriage equality finally became legal, they were married in 2014. They never allowed the attitudes of others to diminish the love they shared, and they remained together until the end.

Donna’s passion for helping people was reflected in her work. She was a registered nurse for 50 years and was a compassionate and professional caregiver. She took the time to know her patients and developed personal connections with them that helped her provide better care. Outside of the doctor’s office, she often ran into former patients who recognized her and were happy to see her.

Donna's compassion extended well beyond people. She loved animals throughout her life, especially dogs and cats, and provided a home to many who seemed to find their way to her doorstep. Later, she became deeply involved in a dog rescue network. She would find dogs in local shelters, bring them into her home, care for them and help them become ready for adoption. Many of those dogs were eventually sent to Maine to find permanent homes through the Pixel Fund pet rescue organization. Through this work, Donna helped save the lives of many dogs. She loved her own dogs deeply, and Gold and Dot were a constant source of companionship and joy in her later years.

Donna was a master gardener and loved being outside. She loved walking in the woods, reading, doing crossword puzzles and following the Atlanta Braves. But perhaps nothing filled her spirit more than exploring. She loved taking drives through the countryside and discovering places that other people might not notice, dirt roads that seemed to lead nowhere, hidden cemeteries and abandoned places full of stories that seemed to whisper to her.

Her explorations were facilitated by a conveniently flexible interpretation of private property rights. A dirt road or an interesting stretch of woods would call to her invitingly, in spite of what the posted signs might otherwise say. She once found herself confronted by police after picking roses at Rose Hill Cemetery and on another occasion explored a gated property through an open gate without realizing that the gate was going to close while she was inside. Somehow, she always managed to find her way out of these situations.

Donna was a gentle and thoughtful person, but she was also incredibly strong-willed. She followed her heart wherever it led, whether that meant exploring an unfamiliar road, bringing home another dog in need or taking on a new challenge without knowing exactly how she would manage it. She lived with an openness to the world and a deep commitment to the people she loved.

Donna is survived by her wife, Jane Darby; her son, Matthew Davis; her grandchildren, Rose Davis and Dylan Davis; her siblings, Sylvia Gayle and Dale Deason; and her beloved dogs, Gold and Dot. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harrison Eugene Deason and June Deason, and her brother, Mike Deason.

Donna will be deeply missed by her family, friends and the many people and animals whose lives she touched. Her thoughtfulness, kindness and independent spirit will remain a lasting part of the lives of those who knew and loved her.

A celebration of Donna’s life will be held at a later date. Details will be shared when arrangements have been finalized.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Donna’s memory to The Pixel Fund or High Street Unitarian Universalist Church, two organizations that were near and dear to her heart.

Please visit www.sardisheardfunerals.com to express condolences.

Sardis-Heard Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 6125 Houston Road, Macon, GA 31216 has charge of the arrangements.