Donna Kay (Hanby) Standlee was born on February 26, 1940. Lovingly called “Mimi” by her grandchildren, Donna Kay passed away peacefully in her home in Golden, Missouri, on November 27, 2023. She was surrounded by her family, who – at the end of her days – took care of her after a year-long battle with colon cancer, as she had taken care of them all her life.
Donna Kay graduated from Berryville High School in 1958 and went on to attend college at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas. She later married her sweetheart of 63 years, Elwood “Pop” Standlee, who matched her energy and tenacity like no one else could. Together, they owned and operated a family cattle farm in Golden, while Donna Kay established her own flower shop – Donna Kay’s House of Flowers – in Berryville, Arkansas. She created wondrous floral arrangements for the community for many years. Even after retiring, she never fully stopped making things beautiful.
In fact, Donna Kay’s love for the natural world extended to her garden, whose old-fashioned roses, polka dot begonias, peonies, herbs and vegetables were tended to with great care and knowledge. As her family can attest, she made the best bread in the world. She loved music – especially Elvis Presley. She drove winding Ozark mountain roads to Eureka Springs, just to take her grandchildren to antique stores and taffy shops. She had a close-knit collection of friends – in and out of her volunteer church group – who will miss her phone calls, which could brighten even the darkest day.
Donna Kay is survived by her husband Elwood of Golden, MO; brother Dr. Al Hanby and his wife Dorothy of Springdale, AR; son Dr. J.C. Standlee and his wife Kim of Jefferson City, MO; and daughter Donnel Armstrong and her husband Mike of Berryville, AR. Donna Kay and Elwood’s grandchildren include MaHalie Campbell and her husband Roy of Berryville, AR; Mattie Head and her husband Joey of Blue Eye, MO; Emily Standlee and her brother Erick of St. Louis, MO; Elizabeth Snodgrass-Stringer and her husband James of St. Louis, MO; and Rachel Ollivander of Jefferson City, MO. Donna Kay and Elwood’s great-grandchildren include Addy Head, Thatcher and Louisa Stringer, and Bennington and Sawyer Ollivander.
Donna Kay was predeceased by her father and mother, Jack and Mattie (Fancher) Hanby, and her grandchild Kaylin Armstrong, who always loved her.
Even at the end, Donna Kay held onto her strength and shining sense of humor: She ate vanilla ice cream for breakfast, wore red lipstick – her signature color – pet her cat, Sugar, and held Elwood’s hand, just like she always had.
A celebration of life was held on Friday, December 1, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., with a visitation at 1:00 p.m. Memorial donations can be sent to All Faith United Methodist Church’s GLOW Program 29497 State Hwy 86, Eagle Rock, MO 65641. Arrangements under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service. Online condolences may be sent to nelsonfuneral. com. © Nelson Funeral Service, Inc. 2023.
We love you, Donna Kay.
PAID OBITTUARY
