Legacy: Remembering Donna Thaggard

Legacy. So many people set out to build a legacy and every thing they do is calculated toward that legacy. And then there are those who simply build a legacy with the life they live, never even trying to do so. My Senior Pastor here at First Baptist Church of the Islands asked me to write and post a memorial to Donna Thaggard. Donna was a long time choir member here at FBCI and a teacher at Calvary Day School here in Savannah for 38 years. Donna was one of those people who, without even trying, left an enduring legacy of love, care, and learning for all of us to remember and aspire to. As I told Donna when I left her on Friday afternoon, this is not good bye but just see you later.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Donna Thaggard. Donna went home in the early hours of Monday morning following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. It has been said that a person's legacy is determined by how their story ends; what a legacy Donna leaves us! As our Worship Pastor was visiting with Donna in her home on Friday her first words to him were, "God's got it." What faith, what assurance, what a legacy! 

But even more, our legacy is defined by how we spend our time and who we spend it with. Donna impacted countless lives through her 38 years at Calvary Day School, as was evidenced by the prayer vigil they held just this last weekend. The legacy of love and service that Donna left will continue on, and with that her memory.

Donna was a member of our amazing choir here at First Baptist of the Islands, and our minds go to a song our choir sings, "Thou O Lord." Taken from Psalm 3 they sing, "But thou, O Lord, are a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of my head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. I laid me down and slept and awaked; for the Lord sustained me." How these words have rang true over this past weekend. Facing a poor prognosis, Donna knew the Lord was her shield and the lifter of her head. She, along with so many of us, cried unto the Lord for help and He indeed heard our cries as Donna awakened on Monday morning having truly been sustained by her Savior, her Helper, her Deliverer!

Yes, our hearts are sad, but we do not grieve like those who have no hope. For we know that this is not goodbye, but see you later to our dear friend, our sister in Christ, and our fellow laborer. We have a hope and an assurance that we will see Donna again. But until then, let us continue in the legacy that she left behind.

Donna Thaggard 
October 10, 1959 - May 18, 2020