LaDonna Emerson, 68, of Lompoc, California, passed away unexpectedly on June 14, 2022. LaDonna was born on January 10, 1954, to James Edward Stewart and Betty Jane Gay, in Sedalia, Missouri. LaDonna attended Hubbard Elementary and Smith Cotton High School, and was proud to attend class reunions. LaDonna married and had two children with her high school sweetheart Marshall Lorenzo Emerson. In 1978, LaDonna relocated to Lompoc with her two children Cozetta Jane Blow and Marshall Lorenzo Emerson Jr., where her brother, Joe Gay and his wife, Cheryl helped her start a new life. In 1983, LaDonna had her third child LaTrice Charell Emerson, who cared for her until she went home to be with Jesus.

LaDonna worked hard to take care of her family, sometimes working two jobs to make ends meet. She worked as a cook at Foster's restaurant, and at AFFES on Vandenberg Air Force Base as a retail sales employee for many years. LaDonna was most proud of her last employment with the Lompoc Unified School District, as a crossing guard at La Purisima School. LaDonna often talked about the children and parents she would meet with a smile and recently stated she would love to be a crossing guard again. No matter how much or little she had, there was always enough to feed anyone that came through her door.

Over the years, LaDonna enjoyed spending time reading her Bible, singing in the church choir, and she especially enjoyed playing cards with friends she called family. For over 30 years you could find LaDonna and her longtime partner Dement Weaver working at the VFW, at church or playing the slots at the Chumash Casino. LaDonna also enjoyed painting ceramic figures, crossword puzzles, and was a proud member of the Veterans of Foreign War, Post 1717 serving in many roles. She was a member of the Women's Auxiliary and served as their President. You could find her serving at almost every event and she took pride in keeping the bar festive with seasonal decorations. Nothing made her happier, than caring for and spending time with her grand and great grandchildren.

LaDonna was predeceased by her parents, brother Schuyler Bailey, aunts Georgia Jenkins, Patricia Jenkins, aunt Lila Taylor, brothers in-law Paul Harris, and Billy Fry.

LaDonna leaves to carry on her memory, her brother Joe (Cheryl) Gay; sisters Deborah Fry, Teretha Harris; uncle Raymond Taylor; sister-in-law Karen Bailey; daughters Cozetta (Michael) Blow, LaTrice Emerson; son Marshall Emerson, Jr.; eight grandchildren; nine great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Monday, June 20, 2022, from 5-8 pm at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary Chapel. A funeral service will take place on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at 11 am at St. James Missionary Baptist Church, 222 North "I" St. Lompoc, CA 93436.