Donna Rae (Crites) Jeffers, age 72, of Petersburg, WV passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2025 at Mon General Hospital in Morgantown, WV from complications due to endometrial cancer in her lungs.

Donna was born on June 3, 1953 in Petersburg, WV and was a daughter of the late Diana Margaret (Crites) Sherman. In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her infant brother, Rex Sheldon Sherman.

Donna Jeffers changed the world, and she didn’t even know it. Growing up as a proud “field rat”, Donna survived polio at an early age, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair. That didn’t stop her from riding around town in the back of boys’ trucks during her high school days or learning to drive herself and terrorizing the streets of Petersburg. In fact, it didn’t stop her from anything. She also held a variety of jobs from working at the local courthouse to the emergency service center Grant Com, and she even ran for mayor one year. Later in life, Donna would work as a door greeter at Wal-Mart for many years, where many of you saw her smiling face and likely were instantly charmed by her. She also handed out free samples for a few years, so you likely got some freebies from her too.

Donna fell madly in love with Paul at the West Virginia Rehabilitation Center in Institute, WV in 1983, spending nights riding around town and grilling hot dogs with Paul on his portable grill, complete with potato chips and Mountain Dew. He loved her smile. She loved his cute butt. They got married at the foot of Seneca Rocks on April 21, 1984, celebrating their love by honoring the beauty of the area.

In 1985, Donna experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows – her only child James Wesley “Wes” was born on January 10. Donna always said the best part of her life was being his mother. She also always said the night she gave birth she just thought she was hungry and wanted a burger from Tastee Freeze. Later that year, a terrible flood from the Potomac River destroyed parts of Petersburg and took Donna’s home and belongings. After that, Donna, Paul, and Wes bounced around and lived different places – even adding a brood of ducklings to their family while living on a farm. However, Donna loved Petersburg, and they eventually settled down in their forever home at 55 Riverview Drive.

Donna instantly became the best mother in the world (sorry to other mothers). She gave Wes nothing but love – no matter what he said or did, even during those years where kids hate their parents. She made him feel important, special, happy, and like he could be himself no matter what every day of his life. While raising Wes, Donna volunteered often at Petersburg Elementary School, she baked cookies and treats for at least half of Petersburg, served in her local homemakers group, and was often a docent at the Landes Art Center. Donna also loved cross stitch and was happy to teach anyone how to do it. If you have a Donna Jeffers original cross stitch, you are likely going to be a millionaire. Donna was proud to be a part of a local “Stitch-n-Bitch” group too. Donna most famously sewed a Christmas stocking for every year of Wes’ life – 40 years in total.

Donna loved many things. A simple cup of Starbucks coffee made her entire day – she loved coffee. She loved pizza nights with Wes and Paul – every Wednesday while watching Survivor. She liked putting together puzzles and playing board games. She loved music, especially old country western and classic rock, and the Jeffers household always had music playing. She loved to bake and all of her treats are legendary, especially her Valentine’s Day pink sugar heart cookies. She loved her husband, and she loved her son. She carried about 30 pictures of Wes everywhere she went. Her family was her biggest joy, greatest achievement, and she told Paul and Wes she loved them every single day. Hearing an “I love you” from Donna, with her little mischievous and sweet smile, truly made every day better.

Donna loved people more than anything. She had pen pals all over the world all her life. She loved to travel. She loved adventure. She often spoke about her adventures in New Orleans and Toronto, Canada. Although she didn’t travel as much as she would have liked, she went across the country and around the world via her son Wes in his job as a diplomat for the U.S. government. She baked cookies and sent cards and treats to everyone he interacted with, and she touched the lives of people everywhere who never met her. On the day she died, hundreds of people from around the world sent messages to her to express their love for her. If you knew Donna, you likely felt like she made your life a little better. You should also know that she loved you, and your love and affection for her made her life better too.

Mrs. Jeffers is survived by her son, James Wesley, who she called a miracle, and her loving husband of 41 years Paul; her two sisters, Margaret Sherman Murrell (and her two daughters Aurora Murrell and Amelia Long, and Amelia’s son Clattie Marvin Jude Girard and Diana Beatrice Willow Girard), JoAnn See (and her son Tucker Riggleman and daughter Morgan Grace See); and her two brothers, Lloyd (and wife Faye and their three sons Tyler and wife Sarah and their boys Brooklen Douglas Sherman, Maverick Ty Sherman and Archer Morgan Sherman, Brandon and fiancé Breanna Sites and sons Cooper and Brantlee, and Tanner and his wife Valerie), and Timmy (and wife Libby and their son Harley).

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 12 at 2:00 p.m. at Schaeffer Funeral Home in Petersburg, WV with her son Wes officiating. Family will receive friends from 12 Noon – 2:00 p.m.

Donna will be laid to rest at South Branch Valley Memorial Gardens, Petersburg, WV.

In memory of Donna’s big heart, please do something kind for someone this week with no questions asked and no praise needed.