Biography: A wonderful life closed on February 27, 2022, when Donna Hughes of Little Rock, Arkansas died from colon cancer. She bore her painful 3-year battle with great strength. Until her cancer, she was as healthy as the proverbial horses she loved, and she had been sick fewer than 10 days in her life. Donna was born on August 14, 1953, in Lexington, Kentucky, the second of four children, to Roy and Ora Halfhill. Donna was the first member of her family to graduate from college, earning a bachelor’s degree from UALR and an MBA from UCA. She earned both degrees while working and raising her sons.  Donna worked for the Securities and Exchange Commission in Chicago for 22 years.

Though small of stature, she was not afraid to stand her ground.  Just after her 10^th  birthday, a felon who had recently been released from prison highjacked Donna’s family vehicle and the family.  Pursued by police for 32 miles until the family’s vehicle broke down, the felon tried to use Donna’s 12-year-old brother as a shield, but Donna fought with the felon for her brother.  The felon lost the tug-of-war, and then ran toward a nearby car before being shot and killed by the police.

Donna loved the University of Kentucky basketball teams and followed the St. Louis Cardinals.  She had a deep understanding of baseball fundamentals and, when attending baseball games, she kept a scorebook. She also loved listening to Willie Nelson and music by Mozart.  In 2006 she completed a marathon.

Donna was a loving, nurturing, and generous mother to sons Chris of Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania and Clayton of Sherwood, Arkansas. Her grandson Killian brought immense joy to her life, and she was the best “Grandmom” that a grandkid could ever hope to have.

Donna is survived by Chris, Clayton, and Killian, plus brother Allan Halfhill of Lexington, Kentucky, sister Wanda Ellis of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and sister Patsy Jones of Tucson, Arizona. Donna is also survived by her husband of 49 years, 7 months, and 5 days, Steve Hughes of Little Rock, who cherished her every day they were together. She was deeply loved and will be sorely missed. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com