The Community of Southside, Arkansas Mourns the Tragic Loss of 66-Year-Old Donna Jean Burdick

💔 The Community of Southside, Arkansas Mourns the Tragic Loss of 66-Year-Old Donna Jean Burdick

SOUTHSIDE, Ark. — The Southside community is gripped by sorrow and disbelief after the tragic death of Donna Jean Burdick, a 66-year-old resident whose life was cut short on the evening of Thursday, November 13, 2025. In an instant, a caring woman whose presence brought warmth and kindness to her neighborhood was gone — leaving family, friends, and neighbors struggling to process an immense loss.

According to the Arkansas State Police, the incident occurred around 6:20 p.m. when Ms. Burdick was attempting to cross State Highway 167 in Southside. A northbound Ford F-150 pickup struck her as she stepped into the roadway, and she was pronounced deceased at the scene.

A Life of Kindness and Quiet Strength

To those who knew her, Donna Jean was more than just a neighbor — she was a friend, confidante, and a woman of genuine compassion. She had lived in the Southside area for many years, known for offering a smile, lending a hand, and making sure others felt seen and supported. Friends remember her as kind-hearted, dependable, and someone whose presence brought comfort.

“She never asked for anything in return,” a longtime acquaintance recalled. “If she saw someone struggling, she helped. If someone needed a smile, she gave one. Her absence feels impossible.”

Family members say she treasured her community, took pride in her home, and always made time for family gatherings. Her faith, her sense of responsibility, and the love she showed others were defining traits. Her death has left loved ones grappling not only with grief but with the painful question of why someone so full of life would be gone so suddenly.

A Community in Shock

News of Donna Jean’s passing spread quickly through Southside and surrounding towns. The normally quiet stretch along Highway 167, where the accident occurred, became a site of mourning and reflection. Local residents laid flowers, candles, and notes at a roadside memorial, gathering in the dusk to remember someone who may not have turned heads but turned hearts.

One neighbor said, “We drive past this road every day, never thinking it could be the last for someone like Donna. It’s a sobering reminder of how fragile life is.”

Local officials and community leaders have extended condolences to Ms. Burdick’s family and emphasized the importance of pedestrian safety in the region. As the investigation into the crash continues, concerns are being raised about visibility, lighting, and pedestrian crossings along the highway.

The Investigation & Safety Concerns

While the Arkansas State Police have confirmed the basic facts of the crash — including the striking vehicle and time of incident — many details remain under review. Investigators are examining factors such as lighting conditions, driver visibility, potential pedestrian safety measures, and other contributing circumstances. https://www.kait8.com

Authorities urge anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has dash-camera footage from around 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. that evening on Highway 167 near Southside to contact the Arkansas State Police. Community members hope that answers will come and that this tragedy may help prevent future ones.

Remembering Donna Jean

As the days move on, the spirit of Donna Jean Burdick will continue to live through stories told, acts of kindness replicated, and the comfort of shared memories. Her family encourages those who knew her to remember her for her compassion, her generosity, and the way she made others feel at ease.

“She had a gift for making people believe in themselves,” one friend reflected. “That’s the legacy she leaves.”

Funeral and memorial service arrangements have been announced by her family; in lieu of flowers, they have asked for donations to be made to local community support funds — a gesture in keeping with Donna’s lifetime of helping others.

The community of Southside stands together in grief, honoring the memory of a woman whose love was quiet but powerful. Though her life ended far too soon, the impact she had will be deeply felt for years to come.

🕊️ Rest in peace, Donna Jean Burdick.
Your light shone brightly — and though it’s gone from our sight, it remains in the hearts of all you touched.