Donna Laird Obituary

Donna Laird MT. PLEASANT - After a courageous battle with cancer, Donna Livingston Tyler Laird, 68, was called to her heavenly home September 4, 2025. She was surrounded by her family who loved and cherished her dearly. Donna was born in Houston, Texas, and grew up in Orangeburg, SC. She was the daughter of Grace Dukes Livingston and the late Dean Bennette Livingston. Even though life's circumstances took her away, Donna's love for Orangeburg remained in her heart. Her home church, St. Paul's United Methodist, was a huge part of her life. Sunday school, church choir, Methodist Youth Fellowship retreats at Lake Junaluska, hay rides, cookouts, ski trips, bonfires, and so much more made such a positive impact in her life. At St. Paul's, she was surrounded by a family of faith that nurtured her as she grew in her love for Christ. She learned so much from her mentors, and as an adult it was such a joy for her to lead the MYF youth group along with a team of the greatest church friends. Donna was a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in News-Editorial Journalism. While at Carolina, she especially enjoyed working as a Floor Page in the SC Senate, being a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, and cheering for the Gamecocks at as many events as possible. Upon graduation, Donna worked in advertising sales at The Times and Democrat. She loved serving the community in the Junior Service League of Orangeburg, of which she was a lifetime member. In 1979, Donna married her high school sweetheart, Jeffrey Culler Tyler. They were inseparable during their 6 years of marriage. Together, they had two beautiful girls, Grace and Charlotte, prior to Jeff tragically being taken too soon. Several years later, through mutual friends, Donna met O'Neal Laird of Blackville, SC and quickly fell in love. She treasured how he loved her and her two daughters. Shortly thereafter they brought another precious blessing, Lauren, into the world. For 30 years they were each other's best friend and had a meaningful and happy life. Upon O'Neal's passing in 2019, Donna moved to Mount Pleasant to be close to her three girls and grandchildren. Donna was a light to all she met. She was loving, sincere, selfless, and faithful. She exuded joy and a faith that was palpable. She loved deeply, prayed fervently, and truly cherished life. Donna loved sunsets, traveling, the beach, Gamecock football, and celebrating holidays with family. One of her greatest joys was being "Shug" to her four grandsons. Some of her most cherished final memories are being splashed in the pool by endless cannon balls. Donna leaves behind her devoted and loving children, Grace Tyler Laird Johnston (John), Charlotte Tyler Laird, and Lauren Laird Frost (Brandon); her cherished grandchildren, Parker Cole Johnston, Hudson Tyler Johnston, Bennette Lee Frost and Brooks O'Neal Frost; her treasured mother, Grace Dukes Livingston; her brother, Dean Bennette Livingston, Jr. (Tina); her niece, Virginia (Jenna) Grace Livingston; her father-in-law, William (Billy) S Tyler; her sisters-in-law, Kathy Utsey (Bill) and Carol Griffin (John); her brothers-in-law, Steve Tyler (Dina) and Phil Tyler (Michelle); and many loving cousins and friends that she adored. She was preceded in death by her beloved father, Dean Bennette Livingston and her mother-in-law, Joyce Culler Tyler. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to her many exceptional care teams at MUSC, whose wonderful care and compassion provided comfort during the most difficult times. We will be honoring our mother's request with a private family celebration of her life. Memorials may be made to St. Paul's United Methodist Church of Orangeburg or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.