Donja Olethia Royal, 71, of Wray, Georgia, died Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Emory Healthcare in Warner Robins, Georgia.
Graveside services will be held 11 AM, Monday, April 6, 2026, at Evergreen Cemetery in Fitzgerald, Georgia, with the Rev. Kenny Croft officiating.
Ms. Royal was born July 9, 1954, to the late Donald Alfred & Lottie Mae Griffin Royal. She graduated from Fitzgerald High School and attended Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee with a major in Missiology. She was a great athlete and played basketball in college and later travel ball. Along with her mother, she managed Royal Arms Personal Care Home in Warner Robins for several years. She later obtained her CDL license and owned/operated her own truck. Ms. Royal was very artistic, an avid boatsman and fisherman. Ms. Royal was a member of the Ocilla Church of God, she also played the bass guitar for the Outreach Singers in the 70s.
She is survived by her sister, Paula Johns Paulk (Melvin “Benny”) of Warner Robins, brothers: Waylon Day (Peggy) of Ocilla, Lamar Royal and Rhett Royal; nieces and nephews: Allison Day Martinez, Ashley Day Peacock, Timothy Paul Johns, Wendy Johns Simmons, Kelli Johns Simons and Clinton Dennis Johns.