Donna Kirk Correll, 61, died peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday evening January 19, 2019 at the Grayson County Nursing and Rehab Center.  She was born on December 7, 1957 in Jefferson, NC to Glenna Marie and J Rex Kirk of Grayson County. Her parents survive her.

She had a lifelong love for animals which started with the horses, cats, and dogs on the family farm. To the end of her life, Donna was always trying to get rescued animals into a loving home.  She was also very young when she became interested in photography, an art she pursued both as a hobby and semi -professional in her adult years.

Always a good student, Donna graduated Valedictorian of her Independence High School class and went on to attend Emory and Henry where she graduated cum laude as an English major. She tried living and working in a few other locations but eventually returned to her beloved Grayson community where she held positions with the Declaration, the County Government, and the Grayson County School System.

Donna lived her passion for art, music, and heritage throughout her adult life. She married Gerald Correll in 1987 and spent much of their 31+ years together playing and enjoying old time music.  The couple were frequent participants in local fiddler's conventions where Donna's voice won her numerous prizes.  She was a cofounder of the Historic 1908 Courthouse Jam held Wednesday evenings in Independence. She also traveled, performed, and recorded with the Wolfe Brothers Band for 25 years. Donna loved to help musicians connect and was well known mentor to many new area residents drawn here by the unique music found throughout this region.

While an accomplished musician, songwriter, and singer, Donna was especially proud of her daughter Corianne, born July 10, 1989 and her precious grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Donna is survived by husband Jerry Correll of Elk Creek, Va; daughter and son- in-law Corianne and Jonathan Todd; two grandchildren Aubrey Noelle and Keegan Alexander Todd, all of Charlotte, NC; brother Danny Kirk of Grayson County, one nephew, one step son, and three step grandchildren.

The family will greet friends and neighbors at the Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in Independence on Sunday, January 27, 2019 between 2:00 and 5:00 pm. A small service will precede internment with family members officiating at the Cox Chapel UMC cemetery on Monday, January 28 at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers the family believes donations to cancer research and no kill animal shelters would most honor Donna's memory. Below are organizations for consideration:

Angels Assisi of Roanoke, 415 Campbell Ave, Roanoke, Va 24016. This organization works closely with the Galax, Carroll, Grayson Animal Shelter to significantly reduce animal kills there: 111 East Grayson, Galax, Va 24333.

Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 28 West 44 ^th St Suite 609, NewYork, NY 10036 berf@berf.org