Ava Donna Kilough

Ava “Donna” Kilough passed away on the morning of March 9, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. She died peacefully with her husband of 54 years, Thomas A. Kilough, by her side.

Born Ava Donna Smith on February 17, 1954, in Houston, Texas, to Donald Smith and Eva Smith (later Tinney), she met Thomas in Houston and married him on November 15, 1971. Donna devoted her life to her family. Those who knew her described her as the sweetest and most gentle lady they had ever met. She quietly encouraged others, offering wisdom, love, and her famously comforting hugs.

Her greatest joys were simple ones: being with family and friends, cooking, painting, fishing, and spending time in, on, or near any body of water. She is now reunited in Heaven with her mother Eva Tinney, brother Robert Smith, father Donald Smith, stepfather Herman Tinney, her grandparents, and many others who preceded her.

She is survived by her husband Thomas Kilough; daughters Melody Kilough (Robert McInnes) and LaDonna McInnes (Jesse McInnes); grandchildren Brittny (Kiko Trujillo), Ethan McInnes, and Wynn McInnes; great-granddaughters Karlie Meketi and Brylie Williams; sisters Debbie Filban and Terry Pemberton; and many siblings-in-law, nieces, nephews, and friends whose lives she touched with her generous love. Donna will be deeply missed, yet the love she gave so freely will continue to live on in all who cherished her.