Donna Frances Johnson Walls, 81, of Statesville, N.C., was reunited with her Heavenly Father on October 1, 2025, at 6:15 p.m. at the Gordon Hospice House. She was born on August 12, 1944, in Iredell County, a daughter of the late Ross Johnson and the late Janie Bell Byers Johnson of Statesville.
Donna’s dedication to and immense love for her family was the hallmark of her spirit. She was known for offering sage advice to those who sought her counsel as well as for her mischievous spirit and love for a good debate followed by her signature grin and laugh when she took the upper hand in the debate.
Donna was strong-willed and a force to be reckoned with in her fierce dedication to both, providing for and protecting the well-being of her family. She possessed a kind heart, a sassy attitude as needed, and an innate willingness to help someone in need. She loved to people-watch and would strike up a conversation with anyone without hesitation.
Donna (fondly known as Donnie to her siblings) experienced great pleasure spending time with her family. She cherished the close bond with her brother, Melvin Johnson, and enjoyed daily chats with her niece, Teresa Woodside Henderson, and cousin, Patty Brown. She was an avid reader and loved camping and Carolina Beach. Donna has been a lifelong NASCAR fan spanning from being a huge David Pearson fan, to Bill Elliott, and Jeff Gordon. She enjoyed watching the Panthers as well as soccer matches on television.
Throughout her life she had a varied career and held many positions in the textile industry beginning at Beauti Made, Fiber Industries, Burlington Industries, Carolina Mills and Asmo, where she made many lifelong friends. Donna and her husband Johnnie were the proprietors of Johnny’s Tavern, Walls Grocery, and Walls Vending. One of her proudest moments was being chosen as class Valedictorian and keynote speaker for the 1993 GED Graduating Class at Mitchell Community College where she completed her life-long dream of obtaining her High School Diploma after being pulled out of the 11th grade by her father to help on the family farm.
Donna was preceded in death by her beloved parents; her husband, Johnnie Granville Walls, her grandson, Tyler Christian Puckett; her brother, Carol Wayne Johnson; her sister, Shirley Dean Johnson Stewart; her brother-in-law, James Wayne Woodside; her brother, Harold Ross Johnson; her sister, Linda Sue Johnson Woodside; and her brother, Foy Rex Johnson.
Donna married Johnnie Granville Walls on May 22, 1965, and cherished the love and memories they shared over the 56 years that they spent together. Donna’s legacy of tenacity and enduring love for her children will bring comfort to her daughter, Rhonda Walls Puckett and her husband David Puckett of Asheville; as well as to her son, Dale Granville Walls and his wife Virginia Trueman Walls of Statesville. She was Mawmaw to her granddaughter, Jordan Alexandra Puckett Tate (Edward), whom she loved and cherished dearly. She enjoyed visits with her step-grandchildren, Makenzie Weiderman and Dylan Trueman.
Donna is survived by her brothers, Melvin Johnson (Elaine) and Steven Johnson (Brenda); sisters-in-law, Jean Sigmon Johnson and Carol Curlee Walls; brothers-in-law, Neil Stewart and Michael Walls (Linda); and she will also be fondly remembered by her extended family including numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Memorial donations may be made to the Gordon Hospice House, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625. Donna’s desire to be cremated will respectfully be carried out by Troutman Funeral Home.
The family will hold a private celebration of Donna’s life at a later date.
Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family.