Donna Gail Holland
McFerrin was born to Clyde and Annis Holland on July 14, 1943 in Beaumont. She
was raised in Beaumont with her three siblings, Betty Coone, Nancy Yohe, and
Ricky Holland.
Donna was loved by
all who met her. With an infectious smile, openness to adventure, and larger-than-life
personality, she had an undeniable presence about her that lit up a room and
made you take notice. Her unapologetic laugh and bold sense of style was in a
word… fabulous!
Donna’s decisiveness
and inclination for adventure emerged at an early age. She always seemed to
know what she wanted and had a plan. While attending Beaumont High, she was courted
by a persistent wavy-haired boy from Lumberton named Ray Martin. Despite
familial objections, Donna and Ray eloped to Mexico in his red & white ’57
Chevy convertible when she was a headstrong sixteen. They resided in Lumberton
for their 16 years of marriage.
Her
marriage to Ray resulted in a family of three wonderful children whom she loved
and supported with all her heart. The oldest, Randy, is now Assistant Police
Chief at Lamar University in Beaumont. Laurie was the middle child and holds a
master’s degree in Accounting. Jeff was the youngest, and is now a Doctor of
Psychology in the U.S. Air Force. She loved her family deeply and genuinely took
pride in being “granny” to her five grandchildren (Brandi, Michelle, Ryan,
Annabelle, and Josh). Later in life, Donna remarried to Tom McFerrin where she
continued her adventures.
Like a fine Pinot
Noir (which she thoroughly enjoyed), Donna seemed to improve with age. She rode
speedboats in her 50’s, Harley Davidsons in her 60’s, and sang Al Green at the
top of her lungs in her 70’s. She was fearless about living life and could
always remain upbeat and positive, regardless of what life threw at her. She also
loved to plan travel adventures with her friends and family. Her journeys took
her to Thailand, Russia, Denmark, Greece, Sweden, Turkey, Italy, Jamaica, St.
Barts, St. Martin, St. Thomas, and St. John, to name a few. The custom jeweler who
looked strikingly like George Clooney may have had something to do with her
love of the Caribbean. Her favorite trip by far, though, was the “all girls
trip” to Hawaii with all living females of the Holland lineage (Nancy, Laurie,
Brandi, Michelle, and Annabelle).
In addition to her
travels and adventures, Donna’s tenacity and unparalleled work ethic earned her
opportunities as a professional woman considered rare for the era. Starting her
first job at Conn’s Appliance in 1967, she quickly progressed from Executive
Secretary to Service Contracts Manager, to Service Department Manager at
multiple key locations. A dedicated and proven performer, she was frequently called
upon to perform critical roles within the company such as opening new
departments or to improve underperforming regions. Her exceptional performance
across her years of service with Conn’s led to her becoming the first female to
hold a key executive position within the company. She retired from Conn’s in
2007.
Donna led
an amazingly vibrant, full, and rich life. She leaves a loving family, many close
friends, and a salient example of a life well-lived. Her joy and passion for
life will be remembered and her love will be treasured by many.
Survivors
include her sons, Randy Martin and his fiancé, Hollie Simon; Jeffery Martin and
his wife, Melonie, of Washington; daughter, Laurie Burgher and her husband,
Jeff, of Coppell; brother, Ricky Holland of Beaumont; sister, Nancy Yohe of
Austin; and five grandchildren.
She
is preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Ray Martin; sister, Betty
Coone.
A
gathering of Ms. McFerrin’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until
7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 24, 2016, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive,
Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 25, 2016, at
Broussard’s. Her interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.
In
lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. McFerrin’s memory
to Harbor Hospice of Beaumont, 2450 North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77713.
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