Kathi Jo Haynes Donaldson

Kathi Jo Haynes Donaldson, 66, of Mills River, N.C., passed away on Sept. 18, 2024 at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville after a period of declining health.

Kathi was born and raised in the mountains of Waynesville, N.C., and graduated from Tuscola High School. She worked briefly as a legal secretary, before marrying the love of her life, Dwight Donaldson, 33 years ago. They enjoyed traveling all over the United States in their motor home, and spent extended time at Lake Chatuge in Hayesville, N.C., and Hilton Head, S.C. They both traveled to all University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill home football games over the last few years and attended many Tar Heel basketball games and other athletic events in Chapel Hill. They loved to be on the campus where her father Skip earned a scholarship to play football years ago.

Kathi always loved spending time with her extended family and friends. She excelled at decorating her home each year for the holidays. Her Jack Russell Terriers meant the world to her over the years, her first, Bogey and current, Bailey. She also enjoyed reading books and shopping on QVC.

Kathi and her mother Barbara had a very close relationship and spoke several times a day throughout Kathi’s life.

Kathi was preceded in death by her beloved husband Dwight, who died less than three months before she did; her father, Wiley “Skip” Haynes of Clyde, N.C.; and her youngest step-son Keith Donaldson of Beaumont, Texas/Canton, N.C.

She is survived by her Mother, Barbara (Joe) Brady of Asheville, N.C.; her oldest step-son Kelly Dwight Donaldson (Julie) of Webster, N.C.; a brother-in-law Roger (Vicky) Donaldson of Hayesville, N.C.; step-brothers Mike (Kathy) Brady of Flat Rock, N.C.; Colin (Sandra) Brady of Virginia; and Christopher (Laurie) Brady of Charlotte, N.C., and Larry (Roman) Brady of Charlotte, N.C.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Memorial Mission Hospital, along with the amazing home health teams at Asheville Home Health and Maxim Home Health. Kathi was also blessed with supportive neighbors at Chestnut Mountain Golf Club at High Vista in Mills River, who got her through the last few months of declining health and a broken heart.

There will be a private service for family and friends at a later date. Kathi will be laid to rest with her husband Dwight at Crawford Ray Cemetery in Clyde, in the mountains of Haywood County where they met and were born and raised.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Hop on a Cure, to help fund research for a cure to ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease. For more information, visit www.hoponacure.org and dedicate your donation to the memory of Chester Dwight Donaldson or to the charity of one’s own choice in Kathi’s name.

Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian team is assisting the family.