Donna Renae Soden of Newport, Arkansas, departed this life on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House, at the age of 51. She was born June 12, 1974, in Blytheville, Arkansas, the daughter of Allen and Teresa (Walker) Soden.
Donna was born into a proud military family on the Air Force Base in Blytheville. Growing up in a military household, Donna was able to experience life in many different places in the country and abroad. Donna loved living in Italy when she was a child and especially cherished every moment of their time while living in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where she learned to surf.
Donna was a 1992 graduate of Weiner High School. She went on to attend Wichita Baptist University, obtaining her associate’s degree. She worked in the dental field for fourteen years and later worked for Dr. Ralph Teed, DDS. She was a member of the Weiner United Methodist Church.
Donna enjoyed going to antique auctions and flea markets, where she loved finding pieces to decorate her home with. She was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Donna’s greatest joy was spending time with her family and making memories with her grandchildren, who lovingly called her “Memaw”. She also loved her little dog, Saban.
Donna battled a lengthy illness, but her strength and resilience never allowed it to stop her from living her life. Her quick wit and wonderful sense of humor carried her through hard days, as she always believed laughter was the best medicine.
Donna was preceded in death by a daughter, Kayla Joanne Hewitt; and both paternal and maternal grandparents, John Soden, Sr., Ralph and Pauline Chaplin, and Vernon and Ina Mae Walker.
She is survived by her husband of twenty-two years, Wilbur Hewitt, of the home; her son, Ryan Seth Soden and Alexa Winberry, of Monette; a daughter, Madison Michelle Hewitt, of Harrisburg; two grandchildren, Bexley Mae Travis and Ryder Allen Soden; a sister, Kristy Ball Soden, of Weiner; niece, Olivia Ball; nephew, Tyler Ball and wife, Lacey; her parents, Allen and Teresa Soden, of Waldenburg; special friend, Kathryn Powell; a host of loving aunts, uncles, and cousins; and a lifetime of friends.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the Weiner United Methodist Church, with Rev. Mitch Ford officiating.
Honorary pallbearers are Tanner Gray and the Weiner High School Class of 1992.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the nurses and staff at St. Bernard’s Cancer Center for their care and compassion they provided to Donna throughout the years.
Memorials may be made to the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House at 1148 East Matthews Ave., Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401.
Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home.
