Donald Max “Donnie” Ewing

Mr. Donald Max “Donnie” Ewing, affectionately known as “Big D” to his grandchildren, died Monday, May 4, 2026, at Baptist Memorial Hospital North MS in Oxford. The funeral service will be Monday, May 11, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. at North Oxford Baptist Church with Brother Jeremy Wise and Brother Josh Winslett officiating. Burial will follow in Clear Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, May 10, 2026, from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M at Waller Funeral Home and again prior to the service beginning at 1:00 P.M. at the church.

Donnie was born on December 4, 1955, in Tupelo, MS to the late Max Douglas and Pebble Frost Ewing. He was a longtime member of Antioch Primitive Baptist Church where his faith was nurtured into a steady and integral part of his daily life. As a founding member of Yocona Country Club, he found great solace in deer hunting, turkey hunting and fishing. Donnie most loved his time in the woods with his wife, son and son-in-law but becoming a grandfather and hunting with his grandchildren brought him more joy than he ever imagined. Often, these hunting trips included moments of learning and lessons and, over the years, these moments grew into what became known as “Big D School”. Donnie and Rita spent purposeful time with each of their grandchildren. Whether on their annual summer camping trip, hunting or simply at dinner, they shared wisdom from their life’s lessons, trials and victories. Truth be told, the grandkids never wanted to graduate from Big D School but the lessons and a piece of Big D’s legacy will live through each of them.

Donnie’s family, immediate and extended, were the best parts of his life. From the many large family gatherings around holidays to the weekend road trips watching sports, together he and Rita prioritized their family above all. He worked alongside his brother throughout his career with Ewing Homes, Ewing Brothers and, more recently, as turf managers at M-Trade. The family finds great solace in imagining his Heavenly reunion with his dear daughter, Amie Lynn.

Donnie is survived his wife of almost 50 years, Rita James Ewing of Oxford; a daughter, Sandi Ewing Reed and her husband, David of Oxford; a son, Donald Bradley “Brad” Ewing and his wife, Toni of Oxford; a sister, Leesa Clark and her husband, Billy of Oxford and Kendall Lane Rikard and her husband, Pat of Oxford; a brother, Douglas Wayne “Doug” Ewing and his wife, Dana of Oxford; his six precious grandchildren, Carter Max Ewing, Amie Katherine Reed, Sara Bradley Ewing, Lawson David Reed, Cooper Lee Ewing and Case William Ewing along with a host of nieces, nephews and in-laws.

Memorial contributions in Donnie’s memory may be made to Antioch Primitive Baptist Church, 32 CR 363, Oxford, MS 38655.