Donita Burnett Pellum Rowley

She was born 30 May 1950 in Provo Utah while her father was attending BYU.  Parents: Donna Orpha Vest Burnett & Lamar Child Burnett.  She passed from her mortal struggles in this life to be reunited with her Mother, Father, Sister, half-Brother, and many grandparents and friends; 29 June 2022 at the age of 72.

Her siblings were: Terilyn Hendrix, Beckyan Burnett, Michael Lamar Burnett, Theadore James Burnett. Her half siblings were Kent Campbell Burnett, Jami Elizabeth Champagne, and Mark Myron Burnett.  Her step siblings were Karen Jan Prince, Cindy June Shumway and Jeri Joy Wilcox. Yes there were 11 children in this family.  Donna, Donita's mother passed away when Donita was 9 years old.  After the death of her mother her father married Barbara Adams and they moves to Ojai California with his 5 children and Barbara’s 3 girls; soon Barbara and Lamar had 3 children together making 11 total.

Donita in her youth helped with the construction of the LDS Chapel in Ojai.  And later with the construction of the LDS Chapel in Ventura where her favorite huge magnolia tree lived - she climbed this tree often to find peace and solace. Donita loved to sew. When Brazilian Embroidery was new, she loved learning and teaching it.

She married Jerry Pellum who lived in Ventura and was blessed with 5 Children.  James Gunner Pellum (Leslie Ann); Dawnya Marie Hager (Michael); Celeste.Christine Rhodes (Jonathan); Mindi Rachelle Core;

Travis Leighton Pellum (Maria); Chelsie Rae Reeder (Eric).  She later was divorced from Jerry Wayne Pellum.

Donita worked very hard to support her children, delivering newspapers, working at Carrows Restaurant, JC Pennies with the challenge of having 6 young children in school at the same time. She loved life, she loved her family and always looked for the best in people. She always had a positive attitude.  She groomed dogs, she loved animals, especially her horses.  She took classes at Ventura College in animal science and in psychology which she loved. She moved with her family to Utah “SUU" Cedar City to try to finish her education.

She met Scott Rowley and they married 15 January 1993. She then  moved to Deseret, Utah, with her 6 children and Scotts 6 children, Chris, Shawn, Shannon, Stanton, Sonja, and Selena Rowley. She now had a family of 12 children to love and to help raise. She loved to be a mother and she loved all her children.  Donita's Grandchildren are: Aubrey Hagger, Kadyn Core, Brittan Pellum, Tyler Hagger, Brooklynn Rhodes, Ammon Pellum, Owyn Core, lrelynn Pellum, Nora Reeder, Maci Pellum, Miles Reeder, London Pellum, Adalyn Pellum, Malachi Pellum, Aria Pellum; Maddisen Rowley, Britney Rowley, Callie Rowley, Amber Rowley, Jacie Rowley, Destiny Rowley, Julie Rowley, Tytan Rowley, Ellie Rowley, Kloey Thayne, Brett Rowley, Logan Thayne, Gage Rowley, Nadia Zinai, Zakariah Zinai, Acacia Rowley She had 2 great grandchildren: Max Hagger and Carissa Hagger A These were her happy years.

Then in January 2018 she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.  She had to make many trips to St George for treatments at the Dixie Cancer Center. How she loved Dr. Heather Gilbert for her efforts to improve her Health. She was thankful for all the wonderful nurses at  the Center - for their loving and kind care. She always wished the best for everyone, for whom ever crossed her path in life.

Donita loved life, her Church and her Heavenly Father. She served in many ways in her community. She loved people and loved  serving and helping. She worked at a Care Center, a Crisis Center, Pre- School, Schools, Teaching in primary, especially the Nursery was a favorite.

She also groomed animals, with one of her best friends Loene Dutson, from Deseret Utah.  She loved her Savior and tried always to serve him. She was always thankful for her many blessings and looked on all her troubles as learning experiences for the better. Her trials helped her understand the trials of others and how to support them emotionally and spiritually a and physically.

She will be missed.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 10:00 AM in the Deseret Cemetery.  Online condolences can be offered at www.olpinstevensfuneralhome.com.