Donna Krason

Donna Krason TUPELO—Donna Krason, 64, passed away Saturday, September 28, 2019, at North Mississippi Medical Center surrounded by friends and family following an extended illness. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on January 5, 1955, to Alfred Eichler, Sr., and Lucille Eichler. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Jefferson Borough, Pennsylvania, and went on to earn an associates degree from Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh. Donna met her husband, Ken, while they were both students at Robert Morris. They married and began their life together, living near Pittsburgh. The couple welcomed their first child, Tim, in 1981, while they were living in Ford City, Pennsylvania, but not long after, they moved to Tupelo, Mississippi, following a job opportunity for Ken. Though Mississippi was a long way from home, Donna famously said that she was assured that she would be fine there when she learned that there was a McDonald’s on Gloster St. The couple became active in the Tupelo community and eventually welcomed a second child, Liz, in 1985. Donna has worked various jobs in Tupelo through the years, including as an after-school supervisor at Tupelo Christian Preparatory School, a cashier at TCBY yogurt, and an accounts receivable clerk at Day-Brite Manufacturing, among others. During the last five years, Donna has enjoyed time traveling, spending time with her grandchildren, and investing in relationships through her church. As a teenager, Donna underwent a faith experience whereby she came to know Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. And since then, her life and perspectives have largely been informed by this relationship. She has been an active member of Calvary Baptist Church during all of her time in Tupelo. One of her greatest joys was singing in the choir at Calvary, and one of her greatest losses was when her illness prevented her from doing so during the last bit of her life. Because she believed in Christian education, she spent much time and energy at Tupelo Christian Preparatory School during its early years while her children were enrolled in elementary school there. She volunteered with fundraisers, field trips, class activities, and she worked part-time in the kitchen and in the after-school program. She wanted her own children as well as others to be positively impacted by the good news of Jesus and his redemptive power. Most of Donna’s friends can tell stories of her generosity. She constantly ministered to others through giving gifts and giving time. Family and friends always chuckle about the mountains of chocolate she would have airmailed from Pittsburgh on major holidays. We could not eat it all, so we tried to give it all away before the next holiday would arrive. As for the gift of time, Donna’s friends and their needs were never inconveniences for her. She would do what she could to serve others, whether it was preparing an extra batch of pickled beets and eggs for the Fourth of July cook-out because she found out another family would be joining them or assisting with children’s choir at Calvary when helpers were needed even though her own children were grown up and gone. Donna’s honest and uncompromising opinions were often needed in a room. Whether the conversation concerned where to eat dinner, a new theory of parenting, or some political issue, Donna was quick to voice her thoughts, but while she was outspoken, she was also always kind. The upshot of this trait, as one of her good friends stated recently, was that Donna was right at least 99% of the time. Donna’s voice and presence will be sorely missed. Her acceptance of others and her servant attitude combined with her direct and brash perspective made her a unique example of integrity that we do not often see. Her loving family include Ken Krason, her husband of 42 years, of Tupelo; her daughter, Liz Sojourner (Michael) of Tupelo; her son, Tim Krason (Ashley), and their children, Isaac, Tanner, and Lydia Krason, all of Clinton; and several cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred Eichler, Sr., and Lucille Eichler; as well as, her brother, Alfred Eichler, Jr. Visitation will be 11 a.m. until service time Monday, September 30, 2019 at Calvary Baptist Church. Services will be 2 p.m. Monday, September 30, 2019 at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Jim Yates officiating. Burial will be in Jefferson Memorial Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church Music Ministry or Missions Committee, P.O. Box 1008, Tupelo, MS 38802. Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com .