AUSTIN, Texas — Donna Jean (Pankey) Campbell,
age 60, of Austin, Texas, had a date with the Lord earlier than expected. She was welcomed into heaven with open arms when she passed away suddenly and peacefully at her home on November 29th, 2023.
Born in Newport, Ark., on May 21st, 1963, Donna was a graduate of Newport High School and earned a degree in Communications from the University of Arkansas in 1985. Her career began at the Frank J. Wills Agency, the oldest advertising agency in Arkansas, where she served as a public relations director for Safeway Stores, Inc. and Dillard’s department stores among her most important clients.
In 1990, Donna met Bryan Campbell on a blind date in Little Rock, who would later become her husband and the love of her life. Although she was passionate about her Arkansas heritage, she fell head over heels for a University of Texas Longhorn, and together they built a lasting and loving partnership. Following their wedding, Donna and Bryan moved to London where Bryan worked as a corporate attorney. Donna spent her days perfecting her culinary skills as a member of the Kensington-Chelsea Women’s Group and loving a life of “all things London.” After a brief three-month stint in Minneapolis, they moved to Austin in September 1992 where they made a home and have lived for the last 32 years.
Donna’s greatest accomplishments were her three kids, Caroline, Ford, and Ellen. They were the joy, love, light and purpose of Donna’s life. She dedicated her days to being a devoted stay-athome mom, embodying a role she was designed by God for. Donna’s fierce loyalty, unwavering devotion, and unconditional love was grounded in providing the best for her children. She embraced how unique each of her children are, tirelessly working to ensure they had the resources to become the best versions of themselves. Beyond her kin, Donna was a second mom to many, extending her nurturing spirit to close friends of her children.
Active in her community, Donna was a member of the Junior League of Austin and served on the board of Hospice Austin. She was extremely involved throughout the Austin educational communities where her children were enrolled, serving as chair of many committees at Good Shepherd Preschool, Capitol School of Austin, Trinity Episcopal School, Casis Elementary School, O’Henry Middle School, Austin High School, and the University of Texas. She also was a lifelong advocate for Panhellenic, and an active Chi Omega alum. She served at Iota (The University of Texas) as an advisory board member and as a founding member of the Austin Chi Omega RIF board, where she spent countless hours and helped hundreds of girls across the country find a sorority home and feel loved during their college years.
Donna walked this earth with the love of Jesus. Her love for Him showed no boundaries of creed, color, or social status. She loved without judgment and believed there were no unimportant people in this world. Donna was loyal beyond measure and had an absolutely unfailing antenna for the fake and the fraud in people. She would often say, he or she is the “REAL DEAL!!!” She was a shrewd judge of character and surrounded herself with those she knew to be truly authentic.
If you were fortunate enough to belong in Donna’s inner circle, you knew she would always care for you. She was a “force of nature” when it came to supporting her friends. When the waters were rough and you thought you were drowning, she showed up to save you. Donna always left you better than she found you. She had a fantastic sense of style, excelled in design, and a passion for making everything surrounding her loved ones beautiful, warm, and comfortable. Christmas was her favorite holiday, and she single handedly decorated the most splendid home with her expert eye for the elegant.
Donna had a zest for life like no other, and a wicked sense of humor only few could match. She was original and bawdy, a wonderful prankster, and had the gift of timing and a deadpan delivery. She made us feel so much happier when we were in her company, always coming away smiling and feeling stronger.
We are comforted that Donna is reunited in Heaven with her father, “Papaw,” State Police Captain Larry Pankey, and her brother, Steve Pankey of Newport. She is survived by her loving mother, Sandra Pankey of Newport, her husband Bryan, and her children Caroline, Ford, and Ellen along with many loyal friends and family.
Though Donna’s physical presence has changed, her impact remains in the beauty and enormity that surrounds us. In sunrises and sunsets, on mountain tops and valleys, and amid the crashing waves of the ocean, Donna’s memory endures. To know her was to love her, and our lives are richer for having known her.
A celebration of Donna’s extraordinary life will take place at LifeFamily Church in Austin, Texas on Sunday, December 10th, at 2:30 p.m. The service will also be live-streamed for those unable to attend.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to LifeFamily Church and the Arkansas State Police Foundation — organizations Donna cared so deeply about.
Arkansas State Police Foundation, P.O. Box 64, Kirby, Ark., 71950 *Please notate in memory of Donna Campbell, daughter of State Police Captain Larry Pankey.
Life Family Church Austin, 8901 State Hwy 71, Austin, Texas, 78735 *Please notate in memory of Donna Campbell.