Gay Pierce Donovan, 87, passed away Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Savannah, GA.

Gay was born on October 8, 1937, the oldest daughter of Robert Marion Pierce and Mary Annice Williams Pierce. She was a graduate of Savannah High School. 

Gay worked as an administrative secretary and later a shipping supervisor at an oil company while raising three daughters with the help of her parents. She was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church.

Gay served as Woman’s Missionary Union Director for her church and for the Savannah Baptist Association. After retiring, she taught missions during Vacation Bible School and volunteered with Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief. Gay’s love of missions took her to Honduras, Louisianna, New York state, and Special Friends Camp in Tennessee. 

In recent years, Gay loved being part of the Hope Arbor family, a ministry of Isle of Hope United Methodist Church. 

Gay is survived by her daughters, Denise (Robert) Cooke, Susan Donovan, Teresa (Andy) Zerhusen; grandchildren, A.J. and Kasey Zerhusen; sister, Joy (Everett) Tumblin; niece, Lesley (Cam) Waters; nephew, David Tumblin; great nephew, Colin Waters; great niece, Claire Waters; and several cousins.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 9 from 5-7 pm at Fox & Weeks Funeral Home, Hodgson Chapel. Funeral will be held Saturday, May 10 at 10:00 am in the Chapel at Fox & Weeks, Hodgson Chapel. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests you consider a donation in Gay’s memory to Savannah Baptist Center, 704 Wheaton Street, Savannah, GA 31401; Hope Arbor, 412 Parkersburg Road, Savannah, GA 31406; or a charity of your choice.