Donna Gayle Petty Bynum

August 27, 1947 - October 26, 2023

Donna Gayle Petty Bynum, 76, of Louisville, KY, passed away peacefully on October, 26, 2023.

Donna was born on August 27, 1947, in Louisville, KY to Hubert Elmore Petty and Virginia Ruth Watson. She graduated from Wagner High School in 1965 and then attended Indiana University. There, Donna won a statewide talent contest as a folk singer and guitar player which resulted in an invitation to fly to New York and audition for The Ed Sullivan Show. After returning to the Louisville area Donna spent most of her professional career in property management.  She also spent several years working on the Kentucky Derby Festival committee where she received many commendations from the city for her excellent service and leadership. Donna was married to Jack Bynum until his death in 1985.  In 2003, she moved to Fort Walton Beach, Florida with her beloved partner of 36 years, Vernon Lee “Pete” Fay. 

Donna had many hobbies and interests including singing, playing the guitar, riding motorcycles, showing Tibetan Spaniels, restoring furniture, and gardening.

Donna was preceded in death by her mother and father, Virginia (Watson) and Hubert Petty; husband, Raymond Clifford “Jack” Bynum Jr; brother-in-law, Dan Durrett; and partner, Pete Fay.  She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Liz Petty; sister-in-law and devoted friend, Sonnie Durrett; and by step-children and grandchildren Mark, Jennifer, Luke, and Elisa Fay and Jennifer, Paul, Hailey, Craig, and Kailyn Spraggins.

There will be no public service. Please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association in Donna’s memory.