For over five decades, this Montgomery resident has called the city home, building a life rooted in faith, family, and community. Her career at John Knox Manor has been a testament to her passion for helping senior adults and their families navigate the emotional journey of transitioning to senior living. Equally central to her life is the joy of being a wife to Scott and together raising their three daughters, celebrating their accomplishments, and supporting them as they’ve ventured into adulthood. Her story is one of devotion—to her family, her faith, and the community she’s served so well.
BOOM!: How long have you lived in Montgomery, and what did you enjoy most about your early years here?
Donna: I have lived in Montgomery for 53 years. I loved growing up here with a lot of neighborhood friends. I grew up going to Ridgecrest Baptist Church, which was right in my neighborhood. I went to Montgomery Public Schools and cherish the many teachers and friends from over the years. I recently enjoyed celebrating my 40-year class reunion with the Jeff Davis High School Class of ’84.
BOOM!: What life experiences have shaped you the most and influenced the person you are today?
Donna: Being a mother and a wife are the biggest life experiences that have shaped me into who I am today. Being a mom is the most rewarding experience of my life. After years of fertility treatments, we were blessed with twin girls and again six years later with another sweet girl. God truly has been good to us, and all three girls continue to bless us as adults.
BOOM!: Helping families transition their loved ones to senior living must be both challenging and rewarding. What’s the most fulfilling part of your role at John Knox Manor?
Donna: When Scott and I first married, I worked in medical supply sales. I sold to nursing homes, which is where my love for working with senior adults began. I volunteered at various facilities, and spending time with seniors was very rewarding. My goal was to get into pharmaceutical sales. When an opportunity came available, I was able to work part-time in pharmaceutical sales; this helped during fertility treatments and when the girls were young. It gave me the flexibility to be an active mom. I was able to go on field trips, to class parties, volunteer at the schools, etc.
After a brief time in advertising sales, I decided to go back to work full-time. I enjoyed calling on area physicians and was blessed to do so in the senior adult world. As a marketing liaison for a local nursing home, I was renewed in my love for senior adults. In October 2014, I started working at John Knox Manor II. Being able to help families navigate going into a nursing home was challenging but also rewarding. Loving on our residents and our families was such a blessing to me. I started as admissions director of the nursing home, and being in a smaller facility allowed me to help in other areas, such as activities and social services. My administrator, Terri Howell, helped me learn every area of nursing homes. She mentored and taught me everything I know today. I am blessed to still be able to work with her in my current role. At the nursing home, I helped navigate families into long-term care.
In 2020, I had to leave JKM, due to having a sick parent. After leaving JKM, I worked at an in-home caregiver agency and assisted living. Learning other aspects of senior care was a blessing, allowing me to better help families. In August 2022, I was asked by our new Executive Director, Eddie Cummings, to come back and be director of sales and marketing for all of John Knox Manor. We are a complete Senior Retirement Community offering independent living, catered living, assisted living, in-home caregiving, short-term rehab, and long-term skilled nursing.
John Knox Manor has been in business for over 50 years and just feels like home to me. Whether you come to John Knox Manor or somewhere else, I am happy to help you. I work with some of the best people in the business and have lots of great resources.
BOOM!: What advice do you have for families who are just beginning the process of moving their parents into a senior living facility?
Donna: I always tell people to look before they need a facility. Do your homework and tour the different facilities. Make sure you feel comfortable letting your loved one live there.
BOOM!: How do you help families and residents cope with the emotional challenges of this transition?
Donna: I listen to their needs and aim to see each and every one in their own unique position. I try to help them find a place that will best fit their needs, be available to answer questions, be a shoulder to cry on, and encourage them in any way possible.
BOOM!: You’ve had a bit of a transition of your own over the past few years with your three daughters out of the house. How did you and Scott adjust to becoming empty nesters? Were there any surprises in this new phase of life?
Donna: Wow, going from a house full of kids and their friends, lots of activities, etc., to having so much free time and “just us” was a huge adjustment. It has given Scott and I a chance to enjoy each other’s company and time to find new interests on our own. I started working out at Center Personal Training, which has been very beneficial to my life. I’ve worked out for many years, but the one-on-one attention has helped me greatly as I continue to focus on my health and fitness.
Scott and I now have time for afternoon walks and time with friends. We recently started taking care of my mom and the challenges that entails. We are now doing all the things I have been helping others navigate.
BOOM!: You recently had one daughter marry, and another getting married this month. Your youngest attends Ole Miss. How has your relationship with your daughters (and sons-in-law) evolved as they’ve stepped into adulthood?
Donna: Hannah and Cameron got married in August 2024 and live in Birmingham. They recently moved into their new home and are doing great. They both love their careers and are enjoying Birmingham.
Haley and Mario are getting married this month in Salt Lake City, Utah. They moved out to Utah after Mario’s brother Sebi graduated from Auburn. Along with Mario, we have also welcomed his brother Sebi into our family. They decided to move to a place with adventure last June and are enjoying snow skiing and mountain biking in the area. We miss them all but love seeing them have so much fun!
Thank goodness for Facetime, which we do every day! It’s common to Facetime all three girls together daily. Well, when Olivia has time for us. She is a junior at Ole Miss and active in her sorority, Chi Omega. We are just so proud of all of them! They are truly a blessing to us!
We are very close to all three of our girls and have loved welcoming the guys into our family. They have been a definite asset and are what we prayed for all our girls’ lives.
BOOM!: As die-hard Auburn fans and tailgaters, how did you and Scott adjust to cheering for Ole Miss when two of your daughters chose to attend there? Was it difficult to embrace the Rebels, or did you find a way to balance your loyalties?
Donna: Scott and I met at Auburn, and we raised our girls as Auburn fans, taking them to tailgating and athletic events for many years. We even had three of our nieces and nephews graduate from Auburn after us. In 2016, Haley went to Auburn, but Hannah decided it was time to go away. She chose Ole Miss, and it was perfect for her. Olivia followed Hannah to Ole Miss in 2022. We love Auburn, and there is nothing like it, but we also adore Ole Miss. The friends we have met there throughout the years are some of the best in the world. Oxford is a beautiful town and so much fun anytime we go. But it will never be in our hearts like Auburn.
We are blessed to have two Rebels and thankful for their times at Ole Miss. Having Haley and Mario at our alma mater was wonderful! We got to see them every tailgate and football game. This year, we also added a son-in-law, Cameron, who graduated from Alabama! We have many family members who are Bama fans, so we are used to the fun rivalry. One thing we agree on is Hotty Toddy! Everyone’s second favorite!
BOOM!: You spent years supporting your daughters in sports and school activities. Do you see the investments you made in their activities paying off in their lives today, either personally or professionally?
Donna: The years of organized sports and school activities were indeed something we enjoyed. We have made many great friends over the years through different events. The girls learned so much about discipline, determination, and sportsmanship. I feel this was definitely worth all the time spent. Scott was able to coach many of their sports. They have great memories of their time on the softball fields and volleyball courts.
I am thankful for each and every coach who devoted time to our children, and I believe each helped mold them into who they are today. They made friends with girls from not just their own schools but also other schools and other cities along the way.
BOOM!: Taking trips with your long-time girlfriends is something you’ve always done. What do those trips mean to you, and how have they helped you thrive in this 50+ phase of life as an empty nester?
Donna: I love keeping in touch with lifelong friends. It has been a great way to catch up and renew these friendships. I am so fortunate to still go on trips with my high school friends, and we always pick up right where we left off. We laugh, reminisce, and just have a lot of fun together. It is always good for the heart! I also enjoy reconnecting with friends from the years over wine, dinner, lunch dates, etc. Friends are very important to me. Whether I have known you since birth or just met you recently through work, I love spending time with my friends.
BOOM!: You and Scott have been long-time members of First Baptist Church. With your children now grown, how has your approach to church and faith changed? Has it shifted the way you engage with the church community?
Donna: We are still members of FBC. Having Jay Wolf officiated Hannah and Cameron’s wedding was such a blessing. Our Sunday school class has been together since our children were babies. We have gone through all of life’s events together. We have lost members to death, supported each other in bad times, cheered each other on, prayed for each other when sick, and watched our children grow up.
Some of the sweetest people in my life have been in our Sunday school class. I thank God for our church. We also attend the Church of the Highlands and enjoy the praise and worship service there. It’s nice to go to our neighborhood church and worship with many people from different denominations.
BOOM!: What role does faith play in the work you do at John Knox Manor, particularly when working with families during emotional times?
Donna: John Knox Manor is a faith-based facility, which makes it easy to share your faith with those at work. I don’t know how you could go through life without faith. We pray for each other, the residents, and family members. Working at JKM is more of a mission for me than a job. I love helping people find a place for their loved ones and supporting them through the process. Even if we can not help them at JKM, I am going to help them find the best place for their family.
BOOM!: What do you enjoy about living in the Montgomery/River Region area? What do we need more of?
Donna: I enjoy living in Montgomery and seeing so many people I have grown up with throughout the years. I like the downtown area’s entertainment and have enjoyed raising our family out east. It’s wonderful living so close to the lake and beach. And close enough to take quick trips to Auburn. Scott and I also appreciate being so close to our extended families.
I think need more restaurants and entertainment, and we also need a safer community. But that is a much larger discussion for some other time. I am thankful for developers like Jerry Kyser and others who keep putting more into our town.
BOOM!: When you think about the future, what excites you the most about this phase of your life?
Donna: I look forward to the future, but I am enjoying this phase of our lives. Seeing our girls fall in love and get married brings us such joy as does knowing they are happy and successful in their careers. Their happiness helps us know we did good!
We look forward to seeing how the future unfolds for Olivia as she graduates May 2026 from Ole Miss. We wonder where she will end up and pray for her future as well. As for my future, I look forward to traveling to see our children and spending time with Scott as we approach retirement age and, hopefully, grandchildren. Until then, we will enjoy our time with our children, extended families, and friends. We thank God for being so good to us!