Donna Marie Kent

Donna Kent, 76, of rural Palestine, IL, died at 5:00 a.m. on Friday, July 26, 2019, in the comfort of her home surrounded by her family. She was born on August 21, 1942, in Rolling Prairie Indiana to Dale Foster Ramsey & Frances Marie (Donahue) Ramsey, both of whom preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by 3 brothers: Sonny Ramsey (in infancy), Larry Laverne Ramsey, and Jerry Dale Ramsey; and by 2 sisters: Anita Kay (Ramsey) Weger and Mona Diane Ramsey. She is survived by her husband, James H. Kent of Flat Rock, Kammie & Bruce Hawkins of St. Joseph IL, Robert J. & Susan Kent of Indianapolis IN; by 3 granddaughters: Tatum Hawkins, Rebecca Kent and Olivia Kent; by 2 grandsons: Caleb Hawkins and William Kent; by her great-granddaughter, Lucy Hawkins; and by her brother, Melvin Wayne Ramsey of Palestine. Donna grew up in the Flat Rock and Palestine areas and was a 1960 graduate of Palestine High School. She furthered her education at Vincennes Beauty College, where she graduated in 1975 and taught for the 2 years following graduation. Donna owned and operated her own salon for many years in Palestine. Following her retirement from the salon, she got on with the Palestine Chamber of Commerce, where she worked as the office manager for many years. Donna was, by all accounts, a great supporter of the Palestine Labor Day Celebration and loved meeting and visiting with long time attendees to the rodeo. She loved her community and was also very involved as a longtime member of the Palestine Jr. Women's Club and the Palestine Eagles. At home, she could often be found spending time on her back-porch painting wood figures, and this provided her with countless hours of enjoyment. Friends and family will remember Donna as a determined, dedicated soul who didn’t believe in doing anything half-way. Her legacy was excellence in everything she did, and she left an impact on all who knew her. A time of visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 31st at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday with Celebrant Curt Goodwine officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery. In place of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the “Shriner's Hospitals for Children”, with envelopes available at the funeral home.