A celebration of life will be held Saturday, June 29, at First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson for Donna Jean Branham Gathercoal, 54, of Grand Junction.
Pastor Wendy Pittman will offer words of comfort.
Donna was born July 3, 1970, in Chicago, IL. She attended Immanuel Lutheran Elementary in Glenview and later participated in track and field at Springman Jr. High School.
At 14, Donna worked at Coralee Candies. However, she often gave candy to children who could not afford it, which led her to working at a flower shop with her cousin Greg Harvey, with whom she was very close. There, Donna learned to wrap gifts, make bouquets, and decorate, all of which are hobbies she remained passionate for.
Donna’s instincts for caregiving led her to becoming a CNA alongside her mother Rhonda. Her sympathy and love extended beyond the workplace and into the homes of many who called Donna their friend.
In August, 1989, Donna married James Gerald Gathercoal at Immanuel Lutheran in Glenview. Together they moved to Grand Junction, where they raised five children and impacted their community through their never-ending love for anyone who needed their help and/or friendship.
Donna died May 27, 2024.
She is survived by her husband James Gathercoal; children Kristopher, Tyler, Andrew, Brittany, and Kirby (Sami) Gathercoal; her grandchildren Bentley, Jonathon, Annleigh, and Everleigh; her mother Rhonda Branham; and siblings Jeff Branham and Kim (Adam) Wallin.
Donna was preceded in death by her father Kirby Branham.
“We start learning the minute we’re born… And if we’re wise, we don’t stop until the Lord calls us home.” ― Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House on the Prairie
