Donna Bumgarner

Donna Jo Bumgarner (Sheldon), age 79, of Las Cruces New Mexico, passed away peacefully at home from Esophageal cancer with family by her side. Donna was born on October 24th, 1942, in El Paso Tx to Nelson and Jo Sheldon. She grew up in Glenwood, NM, and moved to Las Cruces for High School. Donna was a graduate of Las Cruces High School class of 1961, the first class to graduate from the new LCHS. On April 13th, 1961, Donna married Thomas (Buz) Bumgarner of Boone, North Carolina. If you knew Donna, you more than likely were blessed to have her cook a meal for you or to have had some of her baked goods. Donna and Buz loved to western dance, hunt deer, elk, quail and dove. They loved to go camping with their children, some of their favorite spots were Willow Creek, Snow Lake, Lake Roberts. Donna was a great shot with either a rifle or a shotgun. They loved to go with friends for water skiing weekends at Elephant Butte and Caballo, where Donna drove the boat and everyone else skied. She loved going deep sea fishing with her family on trips to the San Carlos area of Mexico, one trip she even battled a 40-pound dorado fish that almost took her over the aft of the boat. Her love of seafood especially shrimp was well known. On every Mexico trip she would attempt to eat her weight in shrimp. Buz and Donna traveled on the Chili circuit for several years and have a display case full of trophies to show how popular their chili was. Later in life Donna and Buz volunteered regularly as cooks at El Caldito soup kitchen, and many Christmases were spent with the family volunteering to prepare Christmas meals for those in need. Donna was a life member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She was a very active member of University United Methodist Church where her Grandparents and Parents were founding members. She was also a member of Daughters of the Nile. Surviving is her husband Buz of Las Cruces NM. Daughter Leslie of Las Cruces NM. Grandchildren John, Justin, Aaron. Son Cameron and wife Becky of Gilbert Arizona. Donna is also survived by her brother John and wife Cindy of Glenwood New Mexico. The funeral services will be at University United Methodist Church, 2000 S Locust St, Las Cruces, NM 88001, on Thursday April 7th at 11:00 am. A reception will follow the service, also at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider making a donation to the following charities: El Caldito Soup Kitchen: https://www.elcalditolc.org/donate/ The God's Pantry Ministry at University United Methodist Church: http://uumc-lc.org/serve/gods-pantry/