Donna Lynn Reese

Donna Lynn Reese, 65, passed away on October 17, 2026, originally from Towson, Maryland, Donna lived life on her own terms, leaving behind a legacy of independence, strength, and adventure.

Donna was stubborn, headstrong, fiercely independent, and never one to hold her tongue. She was very outspoken and always spoke her mind, whether people were ready to hear it or not. She had a strong spirit and a way of doing things that was entirely her own. She loved in her own way, and those who knew her understood that there was no one else quite like her.

Throughout her life, Donna moved her family from state to state, bringing new places, new experiences, and new beginnings along the way. What may have seemed like constant change became a lasting lesson for her daughters: to be adventurous, embrace the unknown, and never be afraid to see what life has waiting around the corner. She taught them, through the life she lived, that there is a big world out there and sometimes you just have to take the leap.

Donna leaves behind her daughters, Samantha Shelton, her husband CB Shelton, and Stephani Sampson, and her Husband Jon Sampson, who will carry forward the lessons and memories she gave them. Her legacy continues through her six grandchildren, Lucas Shelton, Cassidy Shelton, Sloan Sampson, Kennedy Shelton, Piper Shelton, and Evelyn Shelton, each of whom is part of the family story she helped shape.

She is also survived by her brothers, Kevin Ball and Stephen Ball, and her sister, Debbi Hawkins. 

Donna was a woman who could not be put in a box, defined by anyone else’s expectations, or mistaken for someone she wasn’t. She was independent, outspoken, strong-willed, and unapologetically herself. Her life was a reminder that everyone has their own path to follow, and hers was one of a kind.Though her journey has come to an end, the spirit she carried will live on in the family she leaves behind. It will live in the courage to start over, the willingness to explore somewhere new, the strength to stand your ground, and the freedom to be yourself.

Donna’s story does not end here. It lives on in her daughters, her grandchildren, and the memories that will be shared for generations to come.

She lived life her way, and she leaves behind a legacy that is uniquely hers.