Donna Faye Reese passed away peacefully on April 6, 2025 in Rock Hill, South Carolina at the age of 89. Donna was born on July 1,1935 to Carl Francis Dunkin and Edith Altiser Dunkin in Unionville, Missouri. Donna’s father passed away when she was four years old. Her mother, Edith, did ironing for families to help make ends meet. Donna, the next to youngest of 13 children, helped out by doing chores and working in the family garden.
Donna graduated from Unionville High School in May 1953. She went on to study at the University of Missouri in Columbia. While there, she attended a program at the Baptist Student Union and met Gordon Reese. They began dating, and were married on August 28, 1954. Donna completed her education degree in 1957, and began teaching elementary age children. She became a stay at home mom after the birth of her son, David, in 1960. When David began kindergarten in 1965, Donna resumed teaching in the Kansas City area.
In 1968, Donna and Gordon felt the Lord calling them to missions. They were accepted by the Baptist Foreign Mission Board (today called the IMB), and began training. They moved to Pine Mountain, Georgia for a 4 month orientation on January 1, 1970. In May of that year, they began language training in San Jose, Costa Rica. They would go on to serve in Santiago, Chile and Quito, Ecuador until 1978. Donna had a passion for the children she met, and especially enjoyed teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She would later tell her grandchildren and great grandchildren of the adventures she had while serving as a missionary.
Donna, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt, is survived by her husband of 70 years, Gordon Reese; son, David Reese; daughter in law, Susan Reese; three grandchildren, Philip Reese and wife Lauren; Rachel Kirby and husband Caleb; Caleb Reese and wife Cassidy; six great grandchildren; and sister, Glenda Putnam and husband Richard. She is preceded in death by her parents and eleven siblings.