Willodene Donathan

Willodene Hobby Donathan, age 92, left our mortal world on Friday, July 26, 2024 to join family and friends who have been waiting on her arrival in Heaven.

She was born September 9, 1931 in Hot Springs Arkansas to Charley Floyd and Orene Henson Hobby, both of whom preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death was her husband of 69 years, Ray Donathan, one infant grandson, one brother, Donald Floyd Hobby, three brothers-in-law, Raymond L Donathan, James Donathan, and Donald Donathan.

Willodene graduated from Lake Hamilton High School in 1949. She married Ray Donathan on November 29, 1950. When Ray joined the army in 1952, she traveled with him for his military appointments, which gave her a lifelong travel bug. She and Ray returned to Hot Springs in 1954 to raise their family and remained until death. Willodene was an employee of Farm Bureau Insurance when her children were young. She was integral part of the founding of Donathan Real Estate Appraisal, where she worked until retirement in 2007.

She was an active member of Pilot Club, and Criterion Club. She joined Community of Christ church when she married Ray and remained a member until her death. Along with her husband, she was a longtime member of the University of Arkansas Road Hogs, where she served as secretary, and a member of Razorback Foundation. When they, and their dedicated dogs, weren’t following the Razorbacks around the country for games, they were in their motorhome traveling all over the country. She loved traveling in a motorhome, and her family is sure Heaven sent one decked out with Razorback decals to pick her up on Friday morning so she could join her fellow Road Hogs at their Heavenly RV park.

She is survived by two daughters, Marsha Donathan Kimbrough and her husband, Dr. Randy Kimbrough of Springdale, Arkansas and Dr. Cynthia Donathan Morgan, and her husband, Phillip Morgan of Hot Springs. She was Mamaw to three grandchildren, Dr. Scott Kimbrough and his wife Lauren, Amy Kimbrough Mitchell and her husband, Doug Mitchell of Springdale, and Rev. Mark Kimbrough and his wife, Dr. Hannah Davis Kimbrough of Katy, TX; six great-grandchildren, Eliza Grace Kimbrough, Shepard Clifton Kimbrough, Lydia Kate Mitchell, Liam Kimbrough Mitchell, Miley Rose Kimbrough, and Phoebe Kate Kimbrough. She leaves three sisters-in-law, Barbara Donathan, Sharon Donathan, and Shirley Hobby, one sister-in-law and brother-in-law Corine and OJ Smith, all of Hot Springs and numerous nieces and nephews and many friends of her daughters.

Pallbearers are Dr. Randy Kimbrough, Phillip Morgan, Doug Hobby, Greg Hobby, Delana Hobby Spivey, Dr. Scott Kimbrough, and Doug Mitchell.

The family offers thanks and gratitude to Arkansas Hospice for their care and to Dr. Scott Anderson for his years of caring medical service for both Willodene and Ray.

The family is thankful for the loving care provided by Willodene’s longtime caregivers Amanda Lecroy, Brenda Hammock, and Christine Blackman. We will always be thankful for you ladies in her life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Ray and Willodene Donathan Scholarship at National Park College. 

The family visitation will be Thursday, August 1st, 2024, at 1 p.m. at Smith Family Funeral Home on 2205 Airport Road in Hot Springs, followed by funeral services at 2 p.m. Interment will be at Memorial Gardens.