Donna Beth Worden

Our mother, Donna Beth (Alexander) Worden, passed away suddenly on March 29, 2023. She had been living in North Carolina for years and enjoyed many friendships there, but her wish was to be buried in Michigan near her young son and parents. There will be a small graveside service on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 11:00 am at Oakview Cemetery, 1032 N. Main St., Royal Oak, Michigan. Mom grew up in Hazel Park, Michigan, and married the boy across the street. She and Dad moved a lot throughout their marriage and endured some hardships-the worst of which was losing their 5 year old son. She died on his birthdate, which somehow seems fitting: she always thought of him and maybe it was one last way to include him in our family's history. She fell in love with our little house on Fern Street in Royal Oak and insisted that we stay there "to let the kids finish school in one place". She was so pleased when they said she won the award for the most beautiful yard in the neighborhood. She worked as a cashier but enjoyed her neighborhood friends and always kept up with old friends. We moved to North Carolina during a recession where they purchased 3 acres from a long-time friend and began building a log cabin. It took 5 years but we finished it! They lived there some years before a brief move to Colorado to be near their first grandchild. They moved back to Lenoir, NC, in a more conventional neighborhood where they lived a quiet life. Mom had a big yard for her plants and flowers and had to constantly remind Dad to mow the grass, which was not his favorite chore. We joked about how he rode the mower like his hair was on fire, trying to get through it as quickly as possible, often cutting down her flowers. It was a hard time when Dad got cancer but Mom was his willing caregiver until she had to have heart surgery near the very end. She tackled life as a widow with the same quiet acceptance of the situation that she showed through many challenges during her life. Our Mom was a person of great humility, always grateful for the small things. Springtime was her favorite time, as she had a very green thumb and loved to see flowers and plants in full bloom. Mom was truly delighted with children and had a way of making them feel like they were special. She was the person who always smiled and started a conversation with the kid peeking over the back of the booth in a restaurant. She loved the beach and always had such appreciation for the sound of the waves, the cries of the seagulls and the feel of the ocean breeze. She used to pull the car over to the side of the road just to say "Look at the moon coming up! Isn't that beautiful?" Mom had a genuine curiosity about everyone's stories, asking questions and always interested in the answers. She missed her mother every day since 1989, often saying she wished she could hear Grandma's voice one more time. As we lay our own mother to rest, we know now how she felt. Loving mother of Amy Westmoreland (Kevin Westmoreland) of Hendersonville, NC; Nicole Messing (Bryan Messing) of Candler, NC; and Dan Worden (Kristy Worden) of Holly, MI. Cherished grandmother of Matthew Westmoreland (Ohio), Lauren Westmoreland (Colorado), Samuel Messing, Delaney Messing, and Dakota Keene. Preceded in death by her son, Scott Andrew Worden, and her husband, Henry Andrew Worden. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Riley Howell Foundation, 4 Vanderbilt Park Drive, Suite 300, Asheville, NC 28803.

Donna Beth Worden

October 23, 1943 - March 29, 2023