Donna Ann Cutter Harper was born in Gulfport, MS to Samuel and Madonna Cutter and was baptized at Saint John Catholic Church there. She was the oldest daughter of three girls. She made her Reconciliation and First Communion at St Thomas Catholic School in Long Beach, where she began her Catholic Education and graduated from St. John Catholic High School in Gulfport.

After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, she traveled to Seoul, Korea, where she was employed by the US Department of Defense for two years, then moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, where she began involvement in Youth Ministry at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish and coaching youth for the City of Corpus Christi.

Donna returned to Mississippi in 1984, marrying her high school sweetheart, Gayden Harper, at St. John the Evangelist Church where they had met as students of St. John Catholic High School. They became members of Sacred Heart Parish in Pascagoula where Donna was a Reader, Eucharistic Minister, member of the Liturgy Committee and Altar Society, and active in the Saltillo Mission. They have four beautiful daughters, Rene’, Michelle, Elizabeth, and April who are all married. They have seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

In 1999, Donna and Gayden joined St. Mary Parish in Gautier, as Gayden began formation for the Diaconate. Donna served as DRE at St. Mary Parish until 2011, when Bishop Roger Morin assigned Deacon Gayden to OLV in Pascagoula. She was appointed DRE for OLV in 2016, and is a Reader and member of the Parish Life Team.

Donna is retired from the Resurrection Catholic Schools after 25 years of teaching English, Mississippi History and Religion on both campuses. She was also Head Coach for Girls Softball and Cheerleaders. Donna was twice awarded, by the Diocese of Biloxi, the Companions on the Journey Award given to adults for their commitment to youth ministry.

Donna enjoys attending Daily Mass, working at the St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Store, St. Vincent De Paul Pharmacy, OLV Parish Life Team and smiling when Gayden says “Yes, Ma’am” and “Yes, Father.”