Donna Kay Schroeder

Donna Kay Schroeder made her grand entrance in this world on November 11, 1939, in the small town of Marked Tree, Ark. She departed, surrounded by family, on March 23, 2019, in Rogers, Ark. She was predeceased by her parents, Elmer James Herman Schroeder and Johnnye Winston Shaw Schroeder; an infant brother and her son-in-law, Ralph Emery. As a young farmer's daughter, she enjoyed many activities such as horseback riding and fishing. Some of her favorite memories were spending time at the family's old log house in Sardis, Miss. Her love for the outdoors continued through life. After graduating from high school, she attended Ole Miss and enjoyed being a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. As a young mother, she was Chief Cook and Bottle Washer, Room Mother (x4), expert Chauffer and occasional emergency driver of the family station wagon (complete with wood paneled siding), School Secretary, Cub Scout Leader, Cheerleading Mom, Basketball, Football and Band fan. She enrolled her children in every conceivable activity including piano lessons and art classes, continuously reminding them that there is a great big world out there! Kay was an artist and often painted the people and places that she loved. She was a founding member of the Lepanto Arkansas Museum and enjoyed working on displays, securing artifacts and history of the local area. She delighted in being outdoors whether gardening, hiking, bird watching, camping or canoeing her beloved Buffalo National River. She was a dedicated member of the Ozark Society and a dear friend of Dr. Neil Compton who led the campaign to save the Buffalo River, designated as the first National River. For a number of years, she worked at the State Capital in Little Rock and later served as a Kappa Sigma house-mother at the University of Arkansas. She became very proficient at furniture and lamp repair. She loved entertaining her dear friends, museums, history, art galleries, British comedy and reading. She also enjoyed writing funny poems and songs for various functions. The Methodist church was an important part of her life and she shared that foundation and love for God with her family. She deeply loved her children and grandchildren, especially the time spent teaching them funny childhood folk songs and the secrets of nature such as finding fossils, naming wildflowers and catching a squirrel with a paper bag and a salt shaker. She was passionate about the environment and making sure that they understood the importance of being good stewards of nature. Kay is survived by her daughters, Kim Emery, Kelley Richardson, and Karen Richardson, all of Rogers, Ark., and her son, Rich Richardson and wife, Cindy, of Garfield, Ark.; 11 grandchildren, Whitney Hunt, Mary Simpson, Neldalourne Fox, Kevin Emery, Kaylie Boullester, Kelsey Johnson, Miranda Johnson, Sarah Richardson, Ryan Veit, Carli Firestone and Ella Firestone; 9 great-grandchildren and numerous extended family and friends. At her request, there will be no formal service. If you would like to make a donation in her memory, please consider the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, Ill. 60601, or www.alz.org. Another way to honor her memory is to write the Arkansas Legislature asking them to protect the fragile ecosystem of the Buffalo National River for future generations. Arrangements are under the care of Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers, Ark. Online condolences may be expressed at www.RollinsFuneral.com.