Donna Kay Beasley

Donna Kay Beasley, nee Malone, of Steelville, MO, was born on Thursday, May 2, 1946, in Springfield, MO, to Earnest Malone and Laura Jane Malone, nee Stapp.  She passed away at her home in Steelville, MO, on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at the age of 79 years, 9 months and 2 days.

Donna grew up in Summersville, Missouri, and graduated from Summersville High School in the Class of 1964. It was there that she met the love of her life, Jerry Beasley. Their love story was simple, real, and lasting. They were married on January 10, 1964, right there in Summersville, and together they built a life side by side. From that marriage came their two children, Keith and Kristina.

Donna adored her kids. She showed that love in the most hands-on ways — sewing all of their clothes herself, taking pride in every stitch, and making sure they were cared for. Family always came first for her.

Donna was never afraid of hard work. She and Jerry owned and operated Yack & Tack in Steelville, where they sold CB radios and western wear and supplies. They truly did life together. They also worked for Chymak, and Donna later put her talents to use cooking at local favorites like the Wayside Restaurant and the Spare Rib Inn for the Palmer and Beers families. She also worked at Brown Shoe Company, both as a cook and as a cutter in the factory.

But Donna also knew how to enjoy life. She was part of the Steelville Country Club — where she worked, yes, but mostly where she played. She loved being in the pool league, playing shuffleboard, and especially poker — which she was very good at. She bowled in a league, loved fishing, and enjoyed traveling whenever she could. Everywhere she went, she picked up a shot glass or a spoon, little reminders of places she’d been and memories she’d made.

Through every battle she faced, Donna found strength in her faith and placed her trust in the Lord. And more than anything else, Donna loved her family. Time spent with the people she loved was what mattered most to her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Earnest and Laura Malone; parents-in-law, Ed and Marian Beasley; sisters, Betty Hodge and Patty (Frank) Powell; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Bill Beasley, Charles “Chuck” Beasley, Ann Hodge and Bill Cooley.

Donna is survived by her husband, Jerry Beasley of Steelville, MO; children, Keith (wife Mona) Beasley and Kristina (husband Lonnie) Halbert both of Steelville, MO; sister, Jeanie Cooley of Summersville, MO; sister-in-law, Jeanie (Edward) Griffith of Cuba, MO; 5 grandchildren: Dalton (Emily) Meintz, James (Jenna) Meintz, Christy (Joey) Orf, Ashley Beasley (Christopher Durham) and Brandy (Bobby) Richardson; 12 great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

Visitation was from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM on Monday, February 9, 2026, at Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.  Celebration of Life immediately followed at 7:00 PM with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating.  The family chose cremation as Donna's final disposition.  Memorials were suggested to the American Cancer Society for Colon Cancer.

Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donna Kay Beasley, please visit our floral store.