On May 23, 2022, Donna Louise Rife, 74, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ at her residence, The Baldwin House in Daphne, Alabama. Mrs. Rife was born on September 22, 1947, in Springfield, Missouri to Nelson and Velta Denby.

Donna attended Glendale High School, in Springfield, Missouri, which led to her very successful career in the newspaper industry where she became Gannett’s first female Production Director.  During her time in the industry, she met and married her husband of 22 years, James Madison Rife, who predeceased her by 15 years. During their marriage, Donna was a gracious host to many. She and her husband opened their home to students attending Pensacola Christian College. Donna and James also sang in a quartet, The Heirs of Glory. However, these are just two glimpses of the warmth Mrs. Rife brought to the world. The sweetness that she carried when she spoke to close friends held no parallel; the grace she held lit up every room she entered, and her intelligence added to her brilliant personality and sense of humor.

She loved so well in every way and will be forever remembered by her sons, Michael and Todd; their spouses, Susan, and Leah; her three grandchildren, Madison, Chase, and Elizabeth; and her brother, Darrell Denby.

A funeral service will be held to honor Donna’s memory on Friday, May 27, 2022, at Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road in Daphne, AL, at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will be held afterward at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, FL, at 2:00 p.m.

Expressions of condolence for the family may be made at www.hughesfh.com. Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.