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.
