Ruth Donna Lee Copeland Fraser was Born December 17, 1923 in Detroit Michigan to Rhoda Belle and Marvin Munger Copeland. Donna was the baby of the family with three older brothers.
She took tap dance lessons before she started kindergarten and continued into her teens. Her first job as a teenager was as a dance teacher. During WW2 she volunteered with the Red Cross taking care of the soldiers when they returned home. When she graduated high school, she went to work for the Red Cross in the hospitals. Later she took a job at an insurance company in Detroit where she met William (Bill) Fraser Sr, the love of her life. They married June 14,1947 and shortly after moved to Fort Wayne Indiana with a job transfer.
They later returned to Detroit and in 1949 Sandra Lee their oldest child was born. Donna stayed home as a housewife caring for Sandra and in 1953 William (Billy) Fraser Jr, their youngest child, was born. While raising their children, Donna was a very active member of the school PTA and Evergreen Presbyterian church. When Sandra entered high school Donna took a position working for Crowley’s department store. She was then recruited away by Dennis Uniform Company to run their Central Michigan territory. She was also busy as a long-time member of the eastern stars group. She and Bill supported Billy and his family as he pursued a career in sports. As a para professional at Harrison High School in Farmington, Michigan, Donna had the opportunity to teach high school students how to run a business. She loved teaching them marketing, purchasing and creation of in-store displays in the high school’s bookstore.
After Bill retired, Donna and Bill moved to Orlando to be closer to their family. They became very active in Grace Covenant Presbyterian church holding many leadership roles. Donna was very active in the women’s bible studies and she founded a very successful bazaar that brought women together crafting and creating for many years. They made great friends through the church as they supported the congregation family. Donna was known for her grace, kindness, poise and style. She and Bill opened their home and their hearts to anyone in need of a family. Whether they were in Detroit or Orlando, they would host you gladly on any occasion. Upon the passing of her beloved husband Donna lived with her daughter Sandee and her husband, Roland. She enjoyed many family outings and get togethers attending the activities of her four great grandsons. She also lived part time with her son Billy and enjoyed seeing the arrival of her great granddaughter.
Donna left us peacefully on December 12, 2023. We are comforted that she has been reunited in heaven with her parents, her loving husband, so many family members and dear friends that are ready to dance with her. Always faithful, always strong, always “Dressed to the Nines” and ready to host any gathering. She loved the Lord and lived to care for all of us. She made us laugh and we lived to make her proud. A true lady, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and so much more. Donna, would have been 100 on December 17. May we all strive to be as classy as she continued to be every single day of her life. A bushel and a peck, and a hug around the neck, that’s how we loved her.
Donna is survived by her daughter Sandee Smith (Roland) and her son William (Bill) Fraser Jr; her grandchildren Heather McGill (James), Shannon Woodrow (James) and Justin Fraser (Sitara); and her great grandchildren Seth Woodrow, Trent Woodrow, Rhys Woodrow, Jack Mcgill and Catherine Grace Fraser.
Funeral Service for Donna will be held at 11:30 a.m. on December 27, 2023 at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1655 Peel Ave, Orlando, FL 32806.