Donnie Mae Freeman Stanton

Donnie Freeman Stanton, of Laurinburg, NC, entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Monday, March 2nd, 2026, at the age of 90, surrounded by her loving children. 

Born May 10, 1935, to the late Willie and Julia Mae Freeman of Gibson, NC, Donnie was a graduate of Gibson High School. She was married to the late James Ralph “Buck” Stanton for 46 years, and together they served the Laurinburg community through Westwood Texaco and Buck’s Exxon for over 40 years. Buck and Donnie will forever be remembered as people who helped others, often blessing pastors with a tank of gas or a set of new tires, and employing members of the local community.  Donnie was also a faithful member of the Springfield Church of God for over 60 years.

In addition to her beloved husband and her parents, Donnie was preceded in death by her son-in-law, John Wade Jackson, Jr.; her brothers, William Jay “WJ” Freeman, Boyd Freeman, Clyde Freeman; and her sister, Elise Walters.

Those left to cherish her memory are her four children: Gail Jackson, of Laurinburg, NC, Debbie Shoemake (David), of Wagram, NC, James Ralph “Bootie” Stanton, Jr., of Laurinburg, NC, and Terry Stanton (Wendy), of Laurinburg, NC; her six grandchildren: Jonathan Jackson (Lisa), Kelly Outlaw (Josh), Ashley Clay (Kaelan), Micah Stanton (Brittany), Olivia Stanton, Teryn Stanton; as well as her ten great-grandchildren: Hunter Jackson, Colton Jackson, Sara Pevey, Alayna Pevey, Oliver Clay, Charlotte Clay, Margaret Clay, Norah Clay, Emery Stanton, and Remi Stanton.

Receiving of friends will take place at the Springfield Church of God Family Life Center on Sunday, March 8th, from 2 – 2:45 pm.  The funeral service will immediately follow, with the Reverend Dan Carter and Reverend David Shoemake officiating.  Internment will take place at Pinecrest Cemetery, Gibson, NC, immediately following the funeral service. 

Donations can be made to the Springfield Church of God, 10101 Gibson Road, Laurel Hill, NC 28351 honoring her heart for this local church and its ministries, or Scotland County Hospice, PO Box 1033, Laurinburg, NC 28353 who provided exceptional care to Donnie during her final days.

While death is no longer an enemy for a believer in Jesus Christ, it remains difficult to have to temporarily say goodbye to the matriarch of our family, our mom and grandma, who we will miss dearly. But we are thankful for the hope that we have in being reunited with her again.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. – 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Depend upon it, your dying hour will be the best hour you have ever known! Your last moment will be your richest moment, better than the day of your birth will be the day of your death. It shall be the beginning of heaven, the rising of a sun that shall go no more down forever!  - CH Spurgeon

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