Mr. Donald Eugene Nugent

Donald Eugene Nugent was born October 28, 1951 in Gould, Arkansas. He was born to Charles (Charlie) Edward Nugent and Annie Lee Burnett Nugent. He departed this life September 15, 2023 at his home in DeWitt, Arkansas at the age of 71. He married the love of his life, Janette Faye Branham Nugent, on July 31, 1970. From this union, two daughters, Shannon Michelle and Misty Chelle, were born. Donald started working at a young age, picking cotton with his brothers and continued to be a hard-working man his whole life. Working at Scott Landleveler, ArCo Road Department, and Arkansas State Highway Department, he became a very proficient machine operator. He retired from the State in 2013. Even in retirement, he continued to work the family land growing a big garden every year. Whether it was welding, construction or farming, he was always piddling with a project. His motto was "make do with what you've got." He was affectionately known as Daddy, Papaw, Papaw Duck and "the okra man." He loved saying, "my boy, my boy" when talking to the grandsons. He loved Elvis, picking at the piano and guitar. He loved a good mess of catfish. If you were around him he would always check and triple check to make sure you didn't need a drink or something to eat. He was a very loving and kind man with a true servant's heart making sure everyone around him was taken care of even until his last breath. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Earl, Kenneth "Sonny", and Jerry, two sisters PollyAnna Nugent and Doris Nugent Austin. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Janette, his daughters Shannon (Charles) Brown and Misty (Matthew) Adams, three grandsons Jack Brown, Lane (Kara) and Garon Adams and one granddaughter Cara Howard (Michael), brothers James Nugent of DeWitt, and Charles Ray Nugent of Searcy, sisters Marilyn Sue Nugent of DeWitt, Betty (Mike) Hughes of Conway and Joyce (James) Kennedy of Memphis, a host of nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 18 at Essex Funeral Home with interment in Van Camp Cemetery. Donald always had a soft spot for St. Jude's Hospital and in lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude's would be most appreciated.

Mr. Donald Eugene Nugent

October 28, 1951 - September 15, 2023