of Little Rock, AR

June 17, 1941 - January 3, 2024

Donna Gale Scroggin, 82, died January 3, 2024. Donna was the only child of Donald Edgar Scroggin and Edith Christine Mitchell Scroggin Horn. Donna was born June 17, 1941 to parents who doted on her. Her father died in 1950 of Bright's Disease, leaving Donna with just her mother, who spent the rest of her life making it up to Donna that she only had the one parent. Donna's oldest friend, Daniella, became her friend when they were both infants playing when their parents socialized. That friendship was precious to Donna and lasted her entire life. After Donald's death, Donna lived with her mother, Aunt Jean, friends Doris McKeever, and Elvie Lee Matejek in various apartments in North Little Rock. She was a tomboy who loved playing outside. Donna was on the swim team at NLRHS, graduating in 1959. She danced on Steve's Show, the Little Rock precursor to American Bandstand.

Donna was the center and the delight of Christine's life. The two were inseparable, speaking several times a day on the phone, visiting, traveling, and eating out regularly. They even both worked at Westinghouse together, along with her Uncle Day! When Westinghouse closed its doors, Donna went to work for the State of Arkansas, and stayed there until retirement. She loved the friends she made there. Although Donna was briefly married in early adulthood, she was single for most of her life, but filled her time with family and friends. She loved boot-scooting at BJ's Star Studded Honky Tonk, she bowled on a league for years, often at Professor Bowl, she frequently attended music concerts, but Elvis was always her absolute favorite. When Donna was a young woman, Elvis Presley had bought Graceland. When he joined the Army, Donna became determined to see him before he left for his tour of duty. So she and a friend drove to Memphis where Donna climbed the fence and went to the back door and knocked. Mrs. Presley opened the door, which led to the kitchen! She kindly invited Donna in, who explained she wanted to see Elvis before his service, and he came in the kitchen in his uniform and his hair newly cut. No one is surprised that Donna reached up to touch his short hair and comment that she was sorry he had to cut his beautiful hair! Donna loved camping with friends at Lake Ouachita, traveling to all 50 states with her friends and/or family.

Donna loved to go to casinos, shopping, cruising, and bus tours. She loved watching all sports, but especially her beloved Arkansas Razorbacks! Donna loved to be with her family and friends as often as possible. Her favorite thing to do was anything with other people, be it travel, dining, or just sitting around a table over a home cooked meal someone else made (Donna didn't cook!). Donna loved to spend time with her extended family and looked forward to family reunions with great excitement. She tried to make her way around to each person at the reunion, catching up with them, and finding out how everyone was doing. Growing up, she spent some summer days with her Granny and Grandad and her cousins, especially Lucky and Jimmy (Ray and James Gaither), but as she grew older, she delighted in each new family member, wanting to be first to see the new baby. Donna filled her long life with everything she loved most and always did just what she wanted to do. Good for her.

Donna is survived by Sandra Burgess, dearest friend, many treasured lifelong friends, and a large multigenerational family of cousins, all of whom were a part of Donna's life.

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