Donna Kay (Miller) Girten June 10, 1966 – September 3, 2026, Donna, a beloved wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, neighbor, friend, and faithful servant of God, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on September 3, 2026, at the age of 60. Donna lived a life marked by optimism, compassion, faith, and an unwavering love for people. She had a beautiful ability to find hope even during difficult seasons and was always willing to offer a helping hand, a listening ear, or a word of encouragement to anyone who needed it.
Her faith was at the center of who she was. Donna loved ministry and spent much of her life helping others navigate the difficult seasons of life. Whether she was walking alongside someone going through a divorce, encouraging a young adult who needed guidance, or simply being there for someone who felt lost or alone, Donna believed in meeting people where they were and reminding them that they were never without hope. She didn’t simply talk about her faith—she lived through the way she loved and served others. Donna remained close to God throughout her life and held tightly to her faith until the very end. Even through the hardest moments, she continued to believe in God’s goodness and trusted Him with her life.
Her faith was not something she kept to herself; it was something she shared through her actions, her words, and the love she showed to everyone around her. Donna was full of life and loved people deeply. She had a sense of adventure and a genuine curiosity about the world around her. She loved traveling and dreamed of seeing the world, experiencing new places, and taking in all the beauty and wonders God had created. She found joy in the journey and treasured the memories made along the way. In more recent years, Donna
discovered a special love for baking and feeding people. For her, food was more than something to eat, it was a way to love. She found happiness in preparing something for someone else, filling a kitchen with the smell of her lemon blueberry cake or cupcakes. If Donna loved you, there was a good chance she wanted to feed you.
Above all, Donna treasured her family. She was a devoted wife to Mark Girten, a loving mother to her daughters Crystal Kelso and Melissa Keith, a proud grandmother to her five grandkids, Blakely, Brice, Braydon, Emmalynn and Benjamin. She cherished the people God placed in her life and gave of herself freely. Her home, her heart, and her time were often open to those who needed them. Donna’s life was a testament to the power of faith, hope, love, and service.
She leaves behind a legacy that cannot be measured simply by years lived, but by the lives she touched, the people she encouraged, the meals she shared, the prayers she prayed, and the love she gave. Though her family and friends will deeply feel her absence, they can find comfort in knowing that Donna’s earthly race is finished and that she remained faithful to the very end. As Scripture says: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” — 2 Timothy 4:7 She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten. Donna is survived by her husband Mark Girten; daughters, Crystal Kelso (husband, Chris Kelso) and Melissa Keith (husband, Daniel Reyes); grandchildren, Blakely Reyes, Brice Reyes, Braydon Reyes, Emmalynn Kelso, Benjamin Kelso, and her mother Verna Miller and other extended family.
The First Service will be held at First Baptist Church in Diamond City, Arkansas, on Monday, September 7, 2026, at 10:00am.
The Second Service is scheduled at Crooked Creek Baptist Church in Marion, Kentucky, on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 10:00am.
The family would like to express gratitude to the care team and doctors at North Arkansas Regional Medical Center, as well as Diamond State Cremation for their compassion and dedication. We would also like to thank Reverend Mark Blount, Reverend Hank Cayce and her brother-in-law Reverend Ken Cummins for officiating. We would also like to thank all our friends and family that have reached out and helped along the way.
We are grateful!
