Donna Gayle Smith, 61, of McComb, MS., was born November 13th, 1963, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on June 29th 2025 while on a travel nursing assignment in Omaha, Nebraska.

Visitation will be Sunday July 6, 2025 from 12 Noon until services at 2 PM at Hartman-Jones Funeral Home of McComb. Rev. Wayne Austin and Pastor Eddie King will officiate.

Known as "Gayle" or "Aunt Gayle" to family, "Donna" to work family, or "Donna Gayle" to her closest friends. She was born in McComb Mississippi and grew up in Prairieville Louisiana. Out of high school, her love for children led her to become a nanny until later attending nursing school at Southwest Mississippi Community College.

Gayle loved nursing and caring for others. She also loved racing. Gayle spent years working at her parents race track and scored thousands of races with her cousin and best friend, Lisa. Her racing friends were truly family. Gayle loved all things tropical, Disney, and oldies music. She attended Faith Assembly in McComb and cherished her time with fellow members.

Most importantly, Gayle loved her family. While not having children of her own, she loved her niece and great nephews like her own. She loved spending time with her family, whether at home, on vacation, or just out to eat.

Gayle is proceeded in death by grandparents and her daddy, Donnie Smith.

She is survived by her mom, Brenda Smith, a brother Freddy Smith and sister in-law Elizabeth, a sister Dinea Kraft and brother in-law Craig, a niece Destine Shaw and nephew in-law Jeremy, two great nephews, Dawson and Drifton and many friends.

Pallbearers will be  Freddy Smith, Craig Kraft, Jeremy Shaw, Philip Coffey, Greg Holmes, and Bobby Byrd.