Donna Gayle Cox Hogue

Donna Gayle Cox Hogue was born in Benton, Arkansas on July 24, 1939 to her loving parents, Loyce and Thelma Cox. She passed away on April 27, 2023 surrounded by her family and friends. 

While growing up, Donna attended Parkview United Methodist Church where she loved to sing with her siblings. A dear, sweet friend of hers, Charles Smith, used to tell the story of how he fell in love with Donna in the 1st grade after hearing her sing. Donna graduated from Benton High School in 1957 where she was active in the band and was a majorette in the marching band. After graduating high school, she attended Southern Methodist University.

In 1962, Donna married Robert Stewart Hogue, and they moved to Alamogordo, New Mexico, where Stewart was stationed at Holloman Air Force Base. In their 40 years of marriage, they spent 21 years in the Air Force, and lived in New Mexico, Louisiana, Germany, and Arizona. Donna loved being an Air Force wife, and has often talked about how much she missed it.

In addition to being a wife, mother, and grandmother, Donna has had many jobs that she loved. Before she married Stewart, she worked for Mr. Gingles at Gingles Department Store in downtown Benton. After returning to Benton, she worked as the convention coordinator and helped open the Little Rock Hilton. But she found her true calling when she went to work at Benton First United Methodist Church. Donna served as the Secretary to the Senior Minister, Director of Communications, and created the Encore group, a new ministry for older adults. She also served as a lay delegate to the Annual Conference of the Arkansas United Methodist Church for many years. Donna also sang in the church choir. One of her greatest accolades was when she received the UMW pin which is awarded to members that go above and beyond in their service to the church. Donna considered it a great honor and privilege to be on the staff of FUMC, and she loved her co-workers like they were her own family. The church and the people in the church meant everything to her. 

Donna loved to travel, loved the Arkansas Razorbacks, loved the church, and loved her family and friends.  

Donna was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Stewart; her parents, Loyce and Thelma Cox; her two sons, Tom and Chuck; her grandson, Christopher Fisher; and her nephew, Jeremy Cox.

She is survived by her daughters: Tammy Davis of Las Vegas, Nevada and Allison Nolley and husband, David, of Benton, Arkansas; her grandchildren: Chase Rayden of Fort Smith; Eric Montague, Joshua Montague, Samantha Price, Aaron Montague, and Nick Martin, all of Las Vegas; Valerie Tiller of Benton, Arkansas; Andrew Nolley and wife Dr. Margaret Hance of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Olivia Nolley and fiance Cody Hester of Benton, Arkansas, and Cooper Nolley, of Benton, Arkansas; 12 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

Donna has 4 siblings: Mary Worsham, Bobby Cox and wife Susie, Nancy Peeler, and Peggy Town and husband Joe, along with many, many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends that she loved dearly.

We would like to thank Dr. Deborah Quade, Dr. Mark Martindale and staff, and 

Dr. Bill Rollefson as well as the nurses at Gentiva Hospice Care, Saline Memorial Hospital, and Arkansas Heart Hospital for the excellent care they gave Donna. 

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 2nd from 6:00-7:30 in the Fellowship Hall of First United Methodist Church of Benton. A memorial service will be held in the church sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 3rd, and will be officiated by Rev. Keith Dodson, Rev. Walt Garrett, and Rev. Garry Teeter.

Memorials can be made to First United Methodist Church of Benton.

Arrangements entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home.  Online guestbook:  www.SmithFamilyCares.com.