Donald Rufus Lane, age 69, of Duffield, Virginia, went to be with the Lord on August 21, 2026, surrounded by family after an extended illness. He was born July 28, 1957, at home in Duffield, Virginia, to Wiley and Rettie Lane. He worked for twenty-six years at Cumberland Glove Factory until its closure and then worked for Joy Mining Machinery (Komatsu) until his retirement.
Donald was a man of many interests and talents. Those who knew him knew how much he loved fixing up old vehicles, painting nature scenes, or meeting new people, playing music, and praising God. Donald had an ear for music and could pick up just about any instrument; one of his favorite pastimes was playing music and singing with his children and grandchildren, especially at church.
Cooking was another of his great labors of love. He believed in feeding the people he cared about whether it was a pot of soup beans with cornbread or his famous pasta salad he took particular pride in making. Food was never just food to Donald; it was one of the ways he showed love.
Above everything else, Donald loved his family. He was a loving husband, protective father, and proud Grandpoppy. Being Poppy always brought a smile to his face, his joy evident.
Donald will be remembered for his fix-it skills, his guitar-playing, competitiveness, and the way he never met a stranger. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his three daughters and their spouses, Jennifer & Bobby Whiteaker, Cindy and Jon Coleman, Emily and Chad Price; his grandchildren, Eryn, Benji, Elan, Rand, Julian, and baby Esther; his siblings, David Lane, Judy Sergent, Dennis Lane, Phyllis Bishop, Alan Lane; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wiley Lane and Rettie Virginia Phillips Lane, and his older brother, Danny Lane.
Donald was a member of Living Waters Ministries in Jasper, Virginia where he taught Sunday school and led the music.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, September 5, 2026, from 2:00-4:00 PM at Living Waters Ministries in Jasper, Virginia with Pastor Billy Wells. Family and friends are invited to come together to share stories, good old fashioned Southern food, fellowship, and celebrate a one-of-a-kind man who was deeply loved. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that all feel free to bring a favorite family dessert to share.
Donald leaves behind a lifetime of stories and memories in the people who loved him. He will be deeply missed and carried in the hearts of his family every day.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the family of Donald Lane.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.