Donna (Derr) Bumgarner

Donna Derr Bumgarner, 79, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 7, 2021 at Stanley Total Living Center, surrounded by her family, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born on December 29th, 1941 in Gaston County to the late George and Virginia Hammack Derr and was preceded in death by a brother, Tony Nelson Derr and a sister, Baby Derr.

Donna grew up in Stanley and lived there her whole life. After graduating from Stanley High School, she attended Sacred Heart College, where she earned an education in Business and Secretarial skills, which she utilized in a career that included working for Talon, Inc., Christ’s Lutheran Church of Stanley and Gaston County Dyeing Machine Company, from which she retired in 1996.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Stanley. She loved God and her family, with snow being a close third…a “Think Snow” sign hung in her house year-round!! She loved spending time at Sunset Beach and at “The Cabin” in Boone, which is a legacy her family continues to carry on today.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 59 years, Tommy Bumgarner of Stanley, whom she met in the 5th grade. Theirs was a lifetime of love and devotion to each other, to their church and to their daughters, on which they built the most solid of foundations. Donna was a wonderful mother and grandmother and is survived by her daughters, Lori Bumgarner Ingle (Jeff) of Mt. Holly and Susan Bumgarner McInerney (Bill) of Tega Cay, SC. Her greatest joys called her “Granny”; Emily Ingle Burcham (Derek) of Mt. Holly, Allison Ingle Walsh (Derek) of Belmont, Spencer Ingle (Christine) of Mt. Holly, Cameron and Carson Slawter of Charleston, SC and her two precious great grandchildren, Hudson and Holden Burcham of Mt. Holly. She is also survived by her brother, Ted Derr, Sr. (Anna) of Robbins, NC and many nieces, nephews, friends and loved ones.

A special thanks to Mrs. Rose Abernathy, who was a dear friend and caregiver for many years. The family also wishes to thank Candi Lethcoe, owner of Stress Free Home Care and her staff, the very special staff at Stanley Total Living Center who lovingly cared for Donna for nine years and Hospice of Lincoln County. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Stanley, Stanley Total Living Center, the Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of the donor’s choosing.

A graveside service will be held on at 11:00 am Friday, February 12, 2021 at Hillcrest Gardens Cemetery, Mt. Holly, NC, and is open to anyone who would like to join the family as they celebrate Donna’s life. Please abide by COVID protocols, wear masks and practice social distancing. The family will greet friends at the cemetery after the service.

Condolence messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.woodlawnfuneral.org. Woodlawn Funeral Home of Mount Holly is serving the Bumgarner family.

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