Mrs. Donna Marie Conerly Maples, 59, of Baton Rouge, La, passed from this life on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center in Baton Rouge, LA.

Mrs. Donna was born in McComb, MS on March 27, 1963 and was the daughter of M.T. "Buddy" Conerly and Bobbie Cockerham Conerly Van Norman. She was the youngest of six children and was spoiled rotten. She was the apple of her daddy's eye and her mama's baby. She was a caregiver for her mother in her final years. Her older sister, Sue, was like her second mother. She loved her family and had a special bond with each of them. She loved the outdoors, working in her yard and her flowers. One of her hobbies was decorating. She loved to decorate for every season and every holiday. She also built many of her big decorations. Becoming a mother was one of her greatest joys. She loved to cook and have all the family together. That was when she was her happiest. She was her niece's and nephews' favorite aunt. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her step-daddy, Jerry Van Norman; one brother, Mason T. Conerly, Jr.; her grandmother, Bertha Cockerham; another grandmother, Linda "Big Mama" Stogner; two special aunts, Barbara C. Lewis, and Irene Smith; other aunts and uncles, and two brothers-in-law, Max McDonald, and Curtis West.

She is survived by her loving husband of 32 years, Melvin R. "Rusty" Maples, Jr. of Baton Rouge, LA; two sons, William Ruston Maples of Baton Rouge, LA, and Zachary Lane Maples of Baton Rouge, LA; one brother, Rickey Conerly and Linda of Summit, MS; four sisters, Patricia C. McDonald of Lucedale, MS, Sue Smith and Snuffy of Magnolia, MS, Brenda Green and Dale of Summit, MS, and Linda West of Fernwood, MS, and a host of nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

Pallbearers will be Arnie Smith, Mason Conerly, Stevie Smith, John Oakes, Taylor Smith, Chris Jackson, and Dawson Wicker. Honorary Pallbearers will be Snuffy Smith and Dale Green.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2022 from 12PM until time of service at 2PM at Sharkey Funeral Home in Summit, MS with Rev. Diane Woodall officiating. A burial will follow in the East Union Baptist Church Cemetery in Magnolia, MS.

Please share condolences at sharkeyfuneralhome.com