Donna Marie (Highsmith) Miller, 72, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away at 4:59 p.m. December 16, 2020, at Lavender Ridge Memory Care Center in Mount Vernon. Donna grew up in the Campground area just east of Mount Vernon and delighted in climbing the trees the area provided and also collecting rocks and shells. Donna spent 40 years teaching at Bluford Grade School and enjoyed every minute of it. Donna’s passion for education continues today as her son Andrew teaches fifth grade at Franklin Park Middle School in Salem, Illinois. Music was a special talent of Donna’s, and she played the piano and sang in her church’s choir. For years, she played the piano for students of hers that were competing in school contests. Donna, along with her husband, Carl, and son, Andrew, relished summer trips, which took her to places such as Alaska, Canada, the Scandinavian countries, and Costa Rica. Donna will be remembered for her love, kindness, and glowing smile.
A Visitation will be held Saturday, December 19, 2020 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn, Illinois. A Graveside Service will begin at 2:00 pm with Mr. Randy Sells officiating. Interment will follow. Memorials may be made in Donna’s honor to the Bluford Grade School Library or the Alzheimer’s Association. Please remember to observe social distancing at this time. We are limited to 10 people under the tent at a time. Following the CDC and NFDA regulations, we encourage everyone to wear a mask. They will be made available, upon request. Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information. She married Carl Dale Miller on Sunday, May 31, 1981 at First Baptist Church in Mount Vernon.
She is survived by her husband, Carl; son, Andrew; brother, Earl Highsmith; and several nieces and nephews.
She was born October 16, 1948, to Kenneth and Edith (Gish) Highsmith. She was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth; mother, Edith; first-born son, Joshua; and sister-in-law, Norma Highsmith.
