Donna (Kroger) Smith

Donna Kroger Smith entered Eternal Life on January 18th, 2023, in Gainesville, Georgia, at the age of 71 after a long and courageous fight with cancer.

She is survived by Loren Leroy Smith (Husband), Geoffrey Wade Degioanni (Son), Trever Edwin Degioanni (Son) and Staci Kreller Degioanni (Daughter-in-Law), Christopher Charles Degioanni (Son) and Rebecca Ann Degioanni (Daughter-in-Law), Jennifer Smith Lord (Stepdaughter) and James Allen Lord Jr. (Son-in-Law), Adam Cayce Smith (Stepson), Tricia Smith Wasielewski (Stepdaughter) and Shawn Patrick Wasielewski (Son-in-Law), Ashley Marie Selser (Granddaughter) and Paul Gregory Selser (Grandson-in-Law), Blake Andrew Degioanni (Grandson), Hunter Wade Degioanni (Grandson), Hailey Camille Degioanni (Granddaughter), Mary Elisabeth Lord (Granddaughter), Lilyan Marie Degioanni (Granddaughter), Lila Rose Degioanni (Granddaughter), Finley Zaiden-Cayce Smith (Grandson), Stone Heath Selser (Great Grandson), Vivienne Estelle Selser (Great Granddaughter), Patrick James Wasielewski (Grandson), Thomas Edwin Kroger (Brother) and Jean Lowe Kroger (Sister-in-Law), Richard Lemoyn Kroger (Brother) and Lauren Bouy Kroger (Sister-in-Law), Dennis Wayne Kroger (Brother) and Julie Cole Kroger (Sister-in-Law), and many cherished nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by Camille Charles Degioanni (Husband), Wilbur Lemoyn Kroger (Father), Betie Sue Kroger (Mother) and Bridget Brister Degioanni (Daughter-in-Law).

Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on September 29th, 1951, Donna graduated from Mandeville High School in Mandeville, Louisiana, with the class of '69. She gave birth to her first son, Geoffrey Wade Degioanni in 1974 and went on to marry Camille Charles Degioanni in 1978. They would go on to grow their family by two more with the births of Trever Edwin Degioanni in 1979 and Christopher Charles Degioanni in 1980.

Donna worked as an accountant with Farm Credit for 40 years, starting her career in Louisiana and then transferring to Georgia to pursue her husband's and her dream of living in North Georgia. It is here that she stuck by Camille's side as his battle with cancer ended. It is here where she was victorious against breast cancer, and it is here where she ultimately fell in love again with Loren Leroy Smith. Loren and Donna officially married in 2009, creating a blended family full of love, laughter, and memories.

Donna was a champion for her loved ones, never letting the hard times get in the way of her zest for life. She was a fighter who took any obstacle thrown at her head on. She valued the importance of family and instilled that in her sons. She was confident in her views and had a strong sense of humor. She was a gifted seamstress and lover of cats. She enjoyed hikes, exploring in her camper, and anywhere where she could sit and talk with family. She loved the simple things- like a good book, the warmth of a campfire, cheering on family and friends at the racetrack, a glass of Cabernet, or a friendly phone call.

Above all else, Donna loved her family and put up an extraordinary fight.

Her battle was not lost. She triumphed over cancer in every single joyous moment she made during her time left on Earth. She triumphed in the way she loved, and she triumphed by leaving behind an impression that will last for generations.

Services for Donna Kroger Smith will be held February 4th, 2023, at 2:00pm at McDonald & Son Funeral Home (150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040). Viewing to precede at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Northside Hospital Foundation's Breast Cancer Program https://give.northside.com/cancer-institute-donation-form/.

A celebration of her life will follow.