Feb. 17, 1953 — Aug. 25, 2014

Donna Jo Best, 61, of Dowagiac, went home to be with the Lord unexpectedly on Monday, Aug. 25, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.

Donna was born Feb. 17, 1953, to Samuel L. and Virginia K. (Brooks) Garber in Rogersville, Tennessee. On Dec. 15, 1971, she married John Best Sr. in Belleview, Michigan.

Donna was a homemaker and the owner of Indian Lake Mini Super (the brown store) for many years. She loved to garden, run the farm and most of all she enjoyed her grandchildren. She loved to take care of others and do everything to help out anywhere she could. She canned beans for the winter and said she had plenty for everyone in her garden. Her favorite time of year was fall and winter and she enjoyed Halloween and Christmas. She loved to plan Halloween parties for the kids. Donna will be greatly missed by all.

Donna is survived by her loving husband of 43 years; her children, Becky (Tom Yoba) Best of Battle Creek, Tammy (Willie Mather) Best, John (Angela) Best, Bobbie Jo (Thomas) Grayam of Dowagiac and Amanda (Marvin) Davis of Tennessee; her grandchildren, Sam Parsons, Jessica Harkey, Travis Bowers, Brandon DeRyder, Dustin Tincher, Makayla, Gavin, Savanna, Aiden and Peyton Best, Ava Garrett, Melody, Kaydi and Cheyenne Grayam and James Davis; her sisters and brothers, Ellen (Emory Linkus) Garber, Sammy (Penny) Garber, Leta (Gus) Spriggs of Tennessee, Lisa Campbell and Charles Inzer of Indiana; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a son, Quintin K. Best.

A Celebration of Life for Donna will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30, at Clark Chapel & Cremation Services, 405 Center Street, Dowagiac, with Lonnie Carpenter officiating. Burial will follow at Sumnerville Cemetery in Pokagon Township. Friends may visit with the family on Friday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Clark Chapel. Memorial donations may be made to the family in care of Tammy Best. Those wishing to leave a condolence and sign Donna’s Memory Book online may do so at www.clarkch.com.