Mrs. Donnakay Hawn Peissel, 55, of Hickory passed away Thursday, May 29, 2025.
Donnakay was born October 4, 1969 in Caldwell County, NC to Mr. Roger Neil Hawn and the late, Mrs. Doris Jewell McFarlin. Donnakay was passionate about caring for senior citizens and improving the lives of those around her. She worked as the Enrichment Coordinator for Pinecrest Retirement Community in Hickory prior to working as a private caregiver. Her devotion to others included volunteering with Meals on Wheels and March of Dimes. Since her early twenties she competed in many local pageants and held multiple titles. In 2019 she was crowned Mrs. NC Allstar, and most recently was crowned Elite Mrs. in the Red Ribbon Pageant. Her latest platform was “Queens Helping Seniors”.
In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her brother, Jeffrey Neil Hawn.
Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Alexis Peissel; father, Roger Neil Hawn; children, Henry James “Jake” White, V., Wesley Neil White, Kadee Huffman Wright and husband Jordan; grandchildren, Boden Gibbs, Ford Gibbs, Camille Peissel, and August Gibbs; and siblings, DeAnna Hawn Chester and husband John.
A visitation will be held Sunday, June 1, 2025 from 2:00PM to 4:00PM at Mackie Funeral Service in Granite Falls.
A funeral service will be held at 4:00PM in the Chapel of Mackie Funeral Service.
Interment will follow at Pinecrest Cemetery in Granite Falls.