Donna Sue Roberts Obituary

Donna Sue Jackson Roberts, 76 of Franklin, passed away Sunday, January 25, 2026, at home with her loving daughters by her side.

Donna Sue was born September 21, 1949, in Indianapolis, Indiana to Richard C. Jackson and Mavern R. Lewis Jackson. Her life began in Greenfield, Indiana on a dairy farm until the family moved to Franklin in 1957, where she grew up on the farm and showing Holstein dairy cattle.

She attended Hopewell Elementary and was in the last eighth grade graduating class of 1963. She was a 1967 graduate of Franklin Community High School.

She was married to her former spouse, William D Roberts on March 22, 1968 at Honey Creek United Methodist Church where she was also a member. They were blessed with three daughters.

She loved being a homemaker, farm wife, mother and mamaw. She was an avid Indiana basketball fan and loved Bobby Knight. Her favorite vacations were going to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2017, she enjoyed a family vacation to Disney World. She thoroughly enjoyed her last girl's trip to Pawhuska, Oklahoma to see the Pioneer Woman and Drummond Ranch. She loved country music and going to concerts, George Strait was her favorite. She enjoyed making diamond art pictures over these past few years. She enjoyed visiting with family, friends, and all her special neighbors.

When farming became a struggle in 1981, she started working for Brougher Insurance Group Inc. in Greenwood, Indiana. She continued working in the insurance industry in Indianapolis until her retirement from Spectrum Underwriting in May 2020. She always said she would never drive downtown Indianapolis for work but did so for 38 years.

She was a 10-year 4-H member of Hopewell Boys and Girls 4-H Club. She showed Holstein Dairy cattle and participated in the foods project. She loved the Johnson County Fair and enjoyed helping her daughters with various projects thru the years and supported their involvement in the program as they became adult volunteers. She was known for her prize-winning Mexican Wedding Cakes and Pecan Pies. Many friends enjoyed being a recipient of her delicious meals and desserts.

In 1976, she won the first Johnson County Fair Women's Powder Puff Tractor Pull contest driving Miss Dyno-Mite, an International 1066. She became a member of the Creative Circle Homemakers Club in 1972 where she held many offices and gained many friends through the years.

She was blessed to have two special granddaughters who called her Mamaw. She taught them many life lessons and shared her love of cooking, sewing and 4-H. She enjoyed watching them grow up and being involved in their 4-H projects. She never missed a pig or dairy cattle show and loved watching them grow and continue the family legacy of 4-H.

She is survived by her daughters, Kim L. Roberts of Franklin; Amy M. Willoughby (Greg) of Lafayette; Lee Ann Ashenfelter (Dave) of Kokomo. Her two loving granddaughters, Sarah Willoughby (finance' Braden Lewis) and Katie Willoughby all of Lafayette.

She is also survived by a sister Diane L Edwards of Franklin, her nephews, Brent Edwards (Sarah) New Palestine, Justin Edwards (Marsi) Bargersville, Aunt Betty Jackson of Charlottesville, Aunt Judy Lucas of Fairland and many cousins and extended nieces and nephews. Her two special friends of many years Virginia Pollert and Vicky Jones.

She was proceeded in death by her parents Richard C Jackson - November 26, 1988, Mavern Rose Lewis Jackson - December 23, 1984, uncle Donald Jackson, brother-in-law Garry L Edwards, cousin Lisa Jackson Cook.

She and her family want to thank her wonderful caregivers who cared for her the past seven months, Kim Lane and Nicole Hoggatt. A special thank you to Mainstreet Hospice, Dr. Cornett, Jaime and Brandii for giving us more time with our special mother.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Johnson County Fair Association, 250 Fairground Street, Franklin, Indiana 46131 in memory of Donna Sue Roberts.

The Reverend Shan Rutherford will conduct a service on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 2:30 PM at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN and will be live-streamed at www.swartzmortuary.com/obituary/donnasueroberts. Friends may call Friday, January 30, 2026, from 4PM until 8PM at the mortuary.

Burial will follow the service at Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin, IN.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information 317-738-0202.