Donna Sue Wright
November 21, 1953 ~ January 2, 2011
Resided in:
Candler, NC
Donna Sue Wright, 57, of Casariche, Spain and Candler, NC, returned to the Lord on January 2nd, 2011 at 5:20 in the morning.
Donna was born on November 21, 1953 in Greenville, SC to Sgt. Donald Wright and Doris Crippen. With her father in the Air Force, she lived in countless locations in the United States and Spain before graduating from Enka High School in 1971. She went on to complete undergraduate studies at UNC-Asheville before earning her Master's degree from Miami International University in Miami, FL.
In 1983 she went on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ International, starting out with Josh McDowell Ministries in Dallas, TX. She moved on to Here's Life in the Inner City in New York City, NY, before joining the Office of the President and finally the U.S. Ministries Staff, both in Orlando, FL.
In the summer of 2005 Donna heard a calling from the Lord that was to begin a ministry in Spain. That November she made her first trip there to begin this journey, but would find soon after returning to North Carolina that she had breast cancer. And so would begin an unexpected year of chemotherapy and radiation, spent with family and prayer and decisions for both her journey with cancer as well as the journey of where God was calling her.
After more than two years of preparation and raising funds, she left the United States to plant her ministry in southern Spain in late summer 2009. However, within six months Donna would find the cancer had returned. She faced another several rounds of chemotherapy and would make a return trip home in the fall of 2010 to share with her sister and family the task of saying goodbye to their mother.
Only a few short months later, Donna would make her final flight from Spain to the U.S. on Christmas Eve 2010. Five days later her sister Linda took her to Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC, where Donna spent her final days with her sister by her side. Donna's last night on this earth was spent with friends and family.
Donna lived a rich life of dedication to Jesus Christ and was filled with a passion to share her dedication with everyone she met. She is preceded in death by her parents, Donald Wright and Doris Crippen.
She is survived by her sister, Linda, of Candler, NC; her nephew, Shane and his wife, Pam, of Candler, NC; her nephew DJ and his wife, Rebecca, and their children, Colin and Katelyn, of Monroe, NC; her niece, Chrissy and her husband, Eric, and their children, Leah, Allison, Aiden and Izzy, of Candler, NC.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2011 at 2:00 pm at Pole Creek Baptist Church in Candler, NC. Receiving of friends and family will be from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm also at Pole Creek Baptist Church.
The family wishes to thank the countless friends and extended family who have taken the time to care and pray for Donna and her family during the last few years of her life, and especially the last several months. The genuine love they have expressed to her and the family is only a reflection of the way Donna has touched each and every one of their lives. They also want to extend a debt of gratitude to the doctors and friends who have cared for her this past year in Spain as well as the incredible staff in the Women's Surgical Wing of Memorial Mission Hospital and doctors and residents with Hope Women's Cancer Center.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to either of the below charities:
National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., 2600 Network Blvd., Suite 300 Frisco, TX 75034
http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/
or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6931 Arlington Road, 2nd floor, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, (800) FIGHT CF,
http://www.cff.org/.
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Linda and Family,
I am so sorry for the loss of Sister and Aunt…I know you will really miss her…just know you will be thought of very often…..I will be praying for you all….I love you all
My thoughts and prayers are with the family as you go through this time of grief. We all lost a very special person today. Donna touched so many people and had a big heart and big smile that would always make you feel warm inside. I am so fortunate to have been able to call her my friend. I cry for my loss, but smile for heavens gain.
to Linda and all of Donna’s beloved family. She loved each and everyone of you and talked about you with love and pride. I am thankful for Donna’s influence in my life and for the priviledge of being one of her many friends.
Linda & Family,
We are so saddened to hear the news about Donna but rejoice in her homecoming with the Lord. She was a blessing to all who knew her. Our prayers go out for you and your family during this time.
Dearest Linda & Family, I loved Donna very much. I’ve been praying for her and you. I’m so glad she was with you as she entered into eternity. She loved you very much. I am greatly sorry for your need to say good-bye to your sister as well as your mom all in a very short time. I will continue to pray for you. Much love, Crystal Keller
Donna has been a fantastic friend and incredible inspiration to me. I love her deeply and will miss her greatly. I have learned so much being around her. Together we have laughed, cried, rejoiced, grieved, and of course, traveled. What precious memories I have. So glad she is in the arms of our sweet Lord and can see His face. I miss her.
To Linda and Family,
My heart shares your sadness. Donna inspired me in so many ways — her faith; her loving, open spirit; her joy; her laughter; her wisdom; the depth of her soul as she talked about the One whom she loved and served…and now sees face to face. It is a privilege to call her a friend. She is missed already. My prayers are with all of you.
My heart is broken for your family as well as for us, her friends. But what a rejoicing took place this morning as she walked with our Jesus. I praise God that we will see her again someday. Our prayers are with the family now.
Donna was such an inspiration to everyone. I will miss her uplifting emails . Thank you God for her life and ending her pain and taking her home.
Donna was the most loving and selfless person I’ve known and I always felt God’s presence when I was with her or reading her letters. She has been a wonderful inspiration to me for 20 years; a perfect example of how a Christ-follower should live. I know Jesus is happy to have her home with Him even though we will miss her here on earth.
In my early days in HR on the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ, Donna was my boss. But more than that, she was a spiritual and professional mentor. Donna took her role as HR Director seriously, and she cared deeply for her team. She prayed for us, challenged us, cried with us and modeled for us what it looked like to walk with God while serving in a difficult role in ministry. Donna highly valued the Word of God. I still use the One Year bible she gave to each member of our team to encourage us to establish a lifelong Scripture-reading plan. Donna is greatly missed.
You have our Sympathy in the loss of your wonderful sister and friend. We will miss her inspiring emails regarding her journey. We know she is sitting at the Master’s feet.
Linda and Family,
I was saddened for you today when I heard of Donna’s passing but for her I was rejoicing. What a grand reunion she must have had with her loved ones and what a glorious time she and Jesus must have experienced. Her life was an example for all to follow – she truly was a servant for her Savior. May God bless all of you in the coming days and know that you are in my prayers always.
Donna inspired many by fighting the good fight. Although her earthly journey is over, her heavenly adventure has just begun. May she runs the streets of heaven and never get winded! We celebrate with you a life well lived!!!
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. I know your memories of her will forever keep her close to your heart. God’s Blessings to you.
I met Donna in NYC during the summer of 1991. She mentored me through an internship at The Lamb’s Church of the Nazarene. Her words of encouragement and wisdom will always be a part of my maturity in Christ. Donna’s impact lives through my ministry to this day. Well done good and faithful servant!
We are so sorry for your loss. We will keep you in our prayers.
My thoughts and prayers are with Donna’s family. She was a wonderful person and will be missed.
Linda:
My thoughts and prayers go out to you. Heaven is so much richer today than it has ever been. She is now rejoicing with her beloved mother and being with the Savior she loved so much.
Linda and family, I have enjoyed reconnecting with Donna over the past 2 years and have been inspired by her faith in our Lord and
Savior. She is in a much happier place and has done what God asked her to do. Well done! My heart goes out to all of you. God bless.
I was so saddened to learn of our friend Donna’s passing. The first time I saw her after many years, I saw a bright light shining in her. That light will never be dimmed, even on this mortal plane. The seeds she planted and the light she shared with us all will only grow brighter!
Dear Family of Donna Wright,
My wife and I have been praying for sister Donna for sometime as we have been blessed by Donna’s devotion to her ladies in Spain. We know she will be missed by all who new and loved her. Be assured of our continued prayer for the family. II Corinthians 1:3 – 5
Pastor Jerry & Nina Young
I was priviledged to have Donna as a class mate in high school and college. She and I also worked together for a brief time in Hendersonville back in the 70’s. She was a delightful friend and a faithful Christian. I miss her.
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Donna. She was a ray of sunshine to us the first time she visited our church, Mountain View Church, to share her passion for ministry in Spain. And, she remained so as we prayerfully supported her in her ministry and during her illness. It was our privilege to have known her. We will miss her. Please know we are praying God’s peace and comfort for you and your family during these days. Sincerely, Rev. Foster Massey, Pastor of Discipleship, Mountain View Church, Black Mountain, NC.
Thank you for this gift of remembering Donna with others here on this site. I served with Donna here at Lake Hart for years. I am grateful for her laugh! And her hats she wore with such flair when her hair was gone. She had an infectious spirit and I can picture her right now laughing. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of knowing your daughter, Donna. What a privilege.
To Donna Wright’s family
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Donna was very special to us as classmates. She inspired each and everyone she met.
She is at peace with her heavenly Father. She will truly be missed.
God bless
Jan Echerd Bailey and Ernest Bailey
Dear Family and Friends of Donna,
We only met Donna a time or two, but were deeply impressed by her love for Christ and her passion for a town in Spain.
We were in contact by e-mail and, above all, by prayer. We felt her battle, and we bless the Lord that He was with her.
Paul’s words ‘For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain’ are most appropriate for Donna.
With love and profound sympathy, we are
Grateful for her life in Christ,
Patsy and Russell
Linda and family, we were saddened to hear of Donna’s passing. We will miss her at PCBC. So thankful that God made a way for us to see our loved ones again after this life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I praise God that He gave me the opportunity to meet Donna. She was a fantastic lady with a passion for Christ. I look forward to the day we will meet again!!!! Praying for you Linda–if Leah, Allison or Aiden need me for anything please do not hesitate to let me know. My phone number is 550-2294.
Dear Linda and Family,
Donna has always been such an inspiration to me! She truly lived a Christ-like life. There is no telling how many lives she has touched and brought to Jesus. I know you will miss her, but I’m so glad that she’s not suffering anymore. Blessings to your family!
Linda -my heartfelt sympathy for you and your family. Our loss is heaven’s gain-Donna was one in a million – always shining her light for HIM. She will be missed dearly.
Dear Family, I first met Donna at Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Chruch, VA. in the 80’s. She was inspiring then and grew tremendously in her faith in Jesus Christ – more than anyone I ever met. We were blessed to know her and support her for more than 20 years. She was a great servant of our Father. Thank you for caring for her at the end. Blessings and prayers for you all.
A woman of great faith has gone to be with her Father. We’ll miss her but one day we’ll join her.
Saddened by the loss of a friend and co-worker and rejoicing that she is free of pain and with her heavenly Father. Praying for her family.
We are so very sorry for your loss of Donna,she was a very sweet person and you knew from the moment you met her that she was a true Christan Lady and that she loved and served the Lord every day of her life. She will be missed Greatly by eveyone. our thoughts and Prayers are with you and your Family.
Love,Steve & Mary Jane Lynch
We first met Donna at Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church, VA in the mid 1980’s. She was diligent in her pursuit of the Lord’s calling for her life and we are honored to be able to know her and support her over the years.
We will miss her ever faithful service to the Lord and look forward to seeing her again one day.
Donna was a blessing to all who met her. She will be sadly missed. Just remember all the good times you had with her. She will always be in you heart. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I have been receiving emails from Donna as she has fought her battle with cancer and the illness of her mother. I know that loosing Donna and her mother in such a short time is heart wrenching. May God keep you all in his loving arms. I know that is where Donna is.
So sorry for you and your family, Linda, but so happy for Donna that she has met our Savior face-to-face and been reunited with her beloved parents and other believers who have gone before. She did what Christ asks of all of us: be His light, shine His light, and share His light with all who come our way. There is no doubt she heard those beloved words we all yearn to hear some day: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:21 I can only imagine! We love her and we love you and your family. We are here for you.
Linda – My life is richer for having known your dear sister. I always appreciated her openness and honesty as she grappled with life’s issues. It was a blessing to see her ‘faith’ her way through and see God’s hand of direction and provision. As I write this, she is ‘standing in His presence blameless with great joy!’
Donna impacted so many lives, mine included. It was a blessing to serve with her. I had the joy of seeing her in her amazing home in Spain this summer, her enthusiasm, her hospitality, her passion for others knowing Jesus are just a few of my fond memories.
Donna and I went through some really good times and some not so good times with each other. But I think we both came out of them closer to God. And that’s what relationship is all about. I can honestly thank Him for bringing Donna into my life.
Dear Linda,
I knew Donna in the late 80s when I worked at The Lamb’s in NYC. She was a vibrant young woman and a solid Christian. I know you will miss her, but she is in Heaven where she is free from suffering. I’m praying that God will comfort you and your family in this time of grief.
Was saddened of the new’s about our dear Donna. I remember Donna and her great heart for the Lord and the people of New York City during her years here in New York City, especially as this relates to the poor. Donna was a great encourager to many who we’re hurting. Donna always put the Lord first in all that she did. I remember one time when we went out to evangelize the community and I was with Donna. We shared Christ with different people in the park with good results! We continued to track with Donna as she moved to Florida and then continued our prayer’s for her in ministry to Spain. We will truly miss Donna but know that we’ll see her again with our wonderful Lord Jesus. My heart and prayer’s are with Linda and Family.
God Bless!
Greg Force
I was sorry to hear of Donna’s death but rejoice that she is with Jesus whom she loved. I ministered with Donna in Here’s Life Inner City in NYC. I remember her deep compassion for those without the Lord. She boldly and sensitively shared Jesus Christ with needy people in the inner city. I know she will be missed by many. But she has left many people whose lives have been changed for eternity by her life. I pray that her family experiences God’s loving comfort.
Claudia Ring
I was so sad when I heard the news-Donna was such a joyful and devoted person always willing to assist everyone. She will be missed by all.
God bless
Dear Family of Donna Sue Wright,
We were very thankful to have had the privilge to know Donna. Her heart was to make a difference in the hearts and lives of those ladies she ministered in Spain. We will cherish her memory as one who did make a difference. II Cor.1:2-5
I had the privilege of coaching Donna as she raised her financial support before she went to Spain. She told me when we first met that she thought God was calling her to face her fear of raising support. She was nearly paralyzed with fear when we began our journey together.
Over the next few years I watched Donna face her fear. By the time she left for Spain she had conquered it. Donna was a woman of great courage. I admired her bravery, and I will miss her.
I hope to read her book someday–that book that many people believed she would write. It will be inspiring.
Dear Linda and family, I was so sorry to hear about Donna. But I can tell from all of the other memorials in her Guestbook that she touched many lives all over the county and in Spain. But today, she is holding the hand of her Lord and Saviour and re-joying in her new body. Will continue to pray for you and your family Linda.
Dear Linda and Family,
We are very sorry to hear of Donna´s passing. It was a true privilege to work with her and receive her wise counsel in Orlando, and this past year to visit with her and see her lovely home in Spain.
Donna is certainly missed.
Linda and family,
I am so sorry for your loss!I met Donna through Columbia Baptist and one year, at Thanksgiving went to see her in NY and work with her at the Center. Her mother was there that weekend too. That was over 20 yrs ago and I still speak of it. I’m also know how cancer robs us of mins, days, breaths, memories and leaves a hole in our hearts and tears. I hurt for your loss. Prayers are with you.
Dear Family:
We were saddened by the news of Donna’s passing. We hadn’t known her for a very long time- she had come to us while she was preparing to go to Spain. We were so touched by her faith and dedication to the calling that God had placed on her life. She really was a woman of valor, and we along with you will miss her, and we will weep with you. May He who loves us and gave Himself for us bless and keep you. May He comfort, guide, guard, and strengthen you, and give you His Peace.