Donna Faye Embrey

Donna Faye (Cornelius) Embrey, daughter of the late Leslie Luther and Louise Katherine (Peters) Cornelius, was born March 7, 1936, in Douglas County, Missouri, and passed away April 21, 2024, at her residence in Seymour, Missouri.

She was 88 years, 1 month, and 14 days of age.

Donna grew up in the Douglas County, Missouri, area and graduated from Seymour High School with the Class of 1954. Some of her surviving classmates are getting ready to have their 70-year class reunion this year, which she had organized.

On May 17, 1954, she was united in marriage to Charles R. Embrey, and to this union two sons, Scotty and Eugene, and one daughter, Deanna, were born. After their marriage they made their home at the apple orchard in Seymour, where they lovingly raised their family. Donna and Charles managed and operated the orchard until they retired.

Donna loved to watch red birds (cardinals) and had quite a collection of cardinal trinkets. She enjoyed going and watching the Seymour Tigers High School ball games. She was a long-time supporter of the Seymour High School Alumni Association. Donna served the Seymour community in several capacities. She and Charles received the “Good Citizenship Award” in 2000, and together they delivered Meals on Wheels for several years. She also served on the Apple Festival committee and the Senior Center board.

Besides her parents, Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, and her son, Scotty Embrey, and her siblings, Howard Cornelius, Herb Cornelius, Lois Goss, Junior Cornelius, and Lil Norris.

She is survived by her son, Eugene Embrey and his wife, Kathy, of Seymour, Missouri, her daughter, Deanna Gunter of Ava, Missouri, her grandchildren, Josh Embrey and his wife, Janell, of Seymour, Chad Embrey and his wife, Larissa, of Seymour, Lesley Potter and her husband, Lynel, of Ava, Lori Tinsley and her husband, Jesse, of Fordland, Missouri, Misty Embrey, and Zack Embrey, both of Seymour, several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other family and friends who will miss her very much.