of Harrison, AR

March 3, 1933 - June 23, 2025

Donna Lee (Dillwith) Crow, 92, of Harrison, more commonly known as Mom, Grandma, Granny or Tootsie, was welcomed home to Heaven on Monday, June 23rd 2025.
Born on March 3, 1933 in Santa Monica, CA to Icy Elizabeth (Jones) and Dee Harvey Dillwith, Donna joined Harold and Alice who predeceased her and her best friend, Donald, who survives her, as the youngest of the tight knit family of siblings who remained close throughout their lives. Donna and her family lived in the Santa Monica area for most of her childhood, with frequent moves back and forth to Arkansas looking for work.
On December 15, 1948 at only 15 years old, a fact her family often teased her about, Donna married James Willie (JW) Crow (who predeceased her), after his famously romantic proposal of ''marry me or else''. It is certain that he knew then and all of their 66 years together, that he was very lucky to have pulled that off. Even though she very much preferred living in Arkansas over California, an opinion she was not shy to share, she and JW relocated back and forth between Arkansas and California in search of work many times. They eventually settled in Arkansas for good in 1964, making their home just outside of Harrison in the Hopewell Community, where lifelong neighbors whom she held dear, became like family. An extremely hard worker, Donna worked for many years at the Okhoma chicken plant in Berryville, carpooling with a group of ladies from Harrison for which she was the driver. Later she helped open Wal-Mart store number two in Harrison, where she was a department manager for over 20 years, eventually retiring from there.
The absolute joy of her life and focus of her existence was her family. Donna and JW were blessed with three daughters and later sons in law who she counted as sons and who all survive her, Karen (Jerry) Hardesty, Sharon (Pat) Murphy and Janet (Randy) Roberts. Her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, who all survive her, were the delight of her heart and include Sarah (Karl) Hardesty and Leo, Ike, Zoe (Landen) and Thatcher and Archer; Tabitha Roberts and Kennedi and Cooper; Kevin (Melissa) Renfro and Diana and Robby; Tammy (Chris) Middleton and Addison, Emma and Annabelle; Justin (Mica) Hardesty and Claire, Sloane, Beaux and Riley Sue; Kimblery (Shane) Patton and Taylee, Savannah, Colter and Callie, Justin Roberts, Zachary (Nikki) Hardesty and Hannah, Hendrix and Hailey (Nathan) Misner and Slater, Michael (Rachel) Murphy and Matthew Murphy and Lily. She also leaves behind a large host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Donna, although a tiny person, was full of spunk, grit and strength, reminding her family often that 'mind over matter' could see you through a lot of difficulty. A natural and gifted homemaker Donna was an amazing cook, making Sunday 'dinners', Saturday breakfasts, birthday dinners and holiday meals for her large family for many years with what seemed like little effort, even though everyone knew it was not. At Christmastime, she made and gave over 50lbs of homemade fudge and more than 30 loaves each of pumpkin bread and banana bread to close and extended family and friends. A talented seamstress, Donna could sew anything and was happy to do it, just as long as it wasn't black. As she raised her family, she made all of her daughters' clothes and many of her grandchildren's. She sewed numerous wedding dresses, pageant dresses, special occasion outfits and more. She made baby clothes and blankets for all of her great-grandchildren. She could mend or alter any garment, hemming more pants and overalls over the years than can be counted.
Known for her deep abiding faith, devoted personal relationship with Jesus, passionate study of the Word and 'direct line' to God by way of prayer; Donna was almost constantly called upon by family, neighbors, friends and in her last years, nurses and staff who cared for her for direction, advice, counsel and especially prayer. She was so known for her effective prayers that when faced with crisis, friends of her family would ask them to 'have your grandma pray for me'. She prayed family and friends through trials, heartache, sickness, wayward wandering, worries, stresses and war zones. Without fail, and right up until her last few days, she could be found very early every morning reading the Word and praying. Those who sought her advice found out quickly there was no tolerance for doubt or a pity party, no matter the circumstance. Instead, and almost always as she held their hand, she gently instructed 'now, this is when you get your faith out of your pocket and put it to work'. Somehow her unwavering faith bolstered theirs, and the peace and steadiness that hallmarked her life because of it, was felt by all she ministered to. As far as she was concerned, there was little grey area on the matters of right and wrong, but she balanced her convictions with the sweetest spirit and ability to counsel without judgement. No matter the mistake or misstep that had been made, her door, her kitchen table, her arms and her heart were always open. In all that she did and all that she was, she truly reflected Christ's love for her and for all of us.
Donna's family and friends meant so much to her but none meant more than the Lord. As she said in her last days ''Now, don't be sad for me. I am ready. I have been ready and I want all of you to be ready when your time comes too''. Her favorite scripture was Psalm 91 which says, ''She will call upon me, and I will answer her; I will be with her in trouble, I will deliver her and honor her.'' There is no question that she was, in fact, ready and is now rejoicing in the fulfillment of that promise she so often clung to that she would one day be delivered and honored by her God.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of Donna's favorite charities which she faithfully and regularly supported for many years including St. Jude, Feed the Children or the Disabled American Veterans.
Visitation will be held 10-11:00am Friday, June 27, 2025 at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be 11:00am Friday at Roller-Christeson.
Interment will be in White Church Cemetery.

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