Donna Gilstrap

Loving wife and mother, Donna Jeannine Gilstrap, 77, of Mobile, Alabama, passed away March 25, 2022, due to complications of Type 1 diabetes and kidney failure.

Donna is survived by her husband, Grady Mack Gilstrap, daughter, Joy Gilstrap Johnson (Kenneth), granddaughter, Wendy Nicole Johnson and sister Linda Tadewald (Jim). She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Mildred Welch, her brothers Jim, Jerry and Jacky Welch and two infant sons.

Donna was born in Riverside, California, on June 18, 1944, to James William (Bill) Welch and Mildred Oneta Brown. She married Grady Gilstrap in Lancaster, California, on December 17, 1966.

She dedicated her life to ministering to others including teaching English as a Second Language in Enterprise, Alabama. She was recognized by First Lady, Barbara Bush, for her volunteer service as director of the literacy program at Enterprise State Junior College. In 1987, she was named Enterprise Woman of the Year for her service to the community. She enjoyed cooking, reading, travel and spending time with family.

Visitation will be Monday, April 4, 2022, at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and followed by the funeral. Interment will follow in Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery.