Donna Jo (Swinton) Smith

Donna Jo Smith, 58, of Salina, passed away Saturday Sept. 14, 2024. She was born July 22, 1966, in Salina, the daughter of Donald and Deona Jean Ashley Swinton. Donna was raised in Salina and was a proud graduate of Salina South High School, Class of 1984. She spent her childhood alongside her two siblings, Terry, and Buddy, playing and watching sports and going on family trips. She was married to Lester Smith, 59, of Kerns, Texas, for nearly a decade. She was a loving and devoted mother, sister, friend, aunt, great-aunt, and healthcare worker. 

Donna spent her life caring for others, both in her own family but also in nursing homes and personal ones. Combined, she spent over 3 decades as a Certified Medication Aid, giving care to hundreds of elderly residents in Salina, Lindsborg, and surrounding areas. She was immensely proud of her work and constantly told people how “rewarding” it was.

If you asked anyone, they would say that Donna’s whole life was her daughter, Rashada. They spend free days together getting breakfast, shopping, and talking for hours on end. In addition, she also acted as a mother to many of Rashada’s friends throughout the years, insisting that every one of them call her “Mom” and never hesitating for them to reach out for anything. She always loved to have a full and loud house. Donna made it her mission to give Rashada the world and that is what she did. Besides her daughter, she loved the Dallas Cowboys, Dateline and 90-Day Fiancé, all food (but mainly Chinese and Mexican), watching her niece and nephews play sports and could never sit still.  

Donna brought a smile and joyful attitude wherever she went. She was the first to jump into a sticky situation but did everything in her power to never ask for help herself.  

She hated the cold and the “s” word (snow, not shit), construction, and rude people.  

She is survived by her daughter, Rashada Smith, of Salina; brother, Buddy Swinton (Janet) of Houston; nephews, Billy Sanders (Mandy) of Council Bluffs, Cody Sanders of Salina, and Joe Long; nieces, Amanda Lalicker of Olympia and Jade Griffith (Daniel) of Fife; great-nephews, Cooper Sanders of Council Bluffs, and Micah and Miles Sanders of Salina; great-niece, Josie Sanders,  

She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Deona and Donald Swinton; sister, Terry Haggard; and great-niece Jonah Sanders.  

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at Ryan Mortuary, Salina with funeral services at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at Emmanuel Four Square, with burial following in Gypsum Hill Cemetery. 

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