Dona "Dolly" F. (Howze) Aguon

Dona "Dolly" F. Aguon, age 85, of Adel, Georgia died peacefully, with family by her side, at her home in Valdosta, Georgia on February 24, 2025. She was born November 01, 1939 to Gruver and Thelma Howze.

By the age of 10 yrs she was stringing tobacco so fast at the Parrish's Tobacco Barn, even the elders were impressed. Fast forward a few years, Mom was working at Key's Restaurant when she met the love of her life, Ray Aguon. After a whirlwind romance, they were married, and within a short time moved to London, England. As a military spouse, she and her family were stationed at numerous bases before doing a four-year tour at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. Upon retirement they settled on the beautiful Island of Guam where Mom continued her education at the University of Guam and was employed at Colorful Creations (a local gift shop).

While abroad for 24 years, they raised four children before returning to Valdosta, Georgia. Mom was at her happiest watching her children grow and always supported their endeavors such as David in band, Ana as a majorette, Tony in football, and Terry with the Student Body Association. Mom especially had a love of football with season tickets to the Vikings' Games along with her sister Opal. In addition, she wore red each time her favorite college team the “Bulldogs” played. In her later years, Mom enjoyed time attending volleyball, soccer, softball, and track meets of her grandchildren, Shawna and Shanelle and her great grandchildren Alana and Emme Cabatu.

Mom took great pride in community service and believed everyone should do their part to give back. However, it was the Sugar Plum Tree Project (SPTP) founded in 1985 whose mission provided Christmas gifts to children that were Ward of the State (Child Protective Services) that touched her heart. Mama would rally friends and family to support this cause by buying gifts and donating them to SPTP. In addition, she opened our home to help store the gifts until it was time for the big wrap. Once more, Mama rallied friends and family to support SPTP by participating in the island wide Christmas Gift Wrap that included volunteers from all branches of the military, public and private schools, and of course Mama and her team of friends and family such as Auntie Shirley Aguon, Annie Smith, and of course her grandchildren... Alana and Emme Cabatu.

Mama continued to champion this event for many years. This project went on to include Dept. of Youth Affairs, Sanctuary Inc. (troubled youth), St. Dominics (senior care home) and other child and elderly serving agencies.

A highlighted moment for Mom was when she and Dad attended an outside mass officiated by Pope John Paul II during a visit to Guam in February 1981, as part of a tour that took him across Asia and the Pacific.

As much as mom enjoyed the company of friends and family, her time with husband Ray was always met with much anticipation. Despite many invites to parties and night outings, mom and dad preferred the company of each other. They enjoyed time at home and moments where they would push the coffee table to the side and dance the night away in the living room to the sounds of Elvis Presley's "Can't help falling in love" and Engelbert Humperdinck's "A man without love': They would dance the night away as if they were the only ones in the world. Later, Mom and Dad would drive to Anderson Air Force Base, Guam just to have coffee at the terminal and spend more time together.

Behind Mom's kind and easy-going spirit, was a Mother of Steel. We often referred to her as a "Steel Magnolia" living the life of a military wife that put God, Country, and Family first. Her unwavering support and commitment to her husband and children through the Korean War of the 1950's, Vietnam War of the 1960's and the fall of Vietnam in the 1970's meant Dad was often away serving our country. She had to be a Steel Magnolia often finding the balance of true reality.

Although we will miss her laughter, her joy, and her wisdom, Mom's spirit will live on through the lives of those she touched. We take comfort in knowing she has once again joined the love of her life, Dad.

Survivors include four children, David R. Aguon and wife Judy of Valdosta, GA, Ana Camit and husband Peter of Palm Coast, FL, Tony Aguon and spouse Daniel McManimon of Minneapolis, MN and Terry G. Aguon and Partner Alexis Silverio of Guam; two grandchildren, Shawna Faye Cabatu and husband Emersonn of Panama City, FL and Shanelle Loraine Keefer and husband Andrew of Orlando, FL; two great-grandchildren, Alana Faye Camit-Cabatu and Emmelyn Loraine Camit-Cabatu; three sisters, Virginia Sumner of Adel, GA, Opal Sumner of Hahira, GA and Jane Whiddon of Tifton, GA; a sister-in-law, Janice King Howze of Clyo, GA and numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Dona was preceded in death by her loving husband John Raymond Aguon (Makaka); two older brothers, Roy Nelson Howze, along with wife Laquita, and Paul William Howze; three brothers-in-law, Wendall Sumner, Ronnie Sumner and Buck Buchanan Whiddon, and her sister Vickie Diane Howze.

A graveside service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery in Adel, GA beside her late husband, Ray. The family will receive friends at the Carson McLane Funeral Home from 10-12pm on Saturday, March 8, 2025.Online condolences may be conveyed at www.mclanefuneralservices.com.

Carson McLane Funeral Home