First Lady Donna Stroman Odum is a native of Savannah, Georgia, and a living testimony of faith, endurance, and grace. The youngest of four children born to the late John Henry & Margaret Lovett, Donna is the only surviving child of her immediate family. This truth has shaped her heart, her strength, and her unwavering trust in God.

A proud graduate of Sol C. Johnson High School, Class of 1978, Donna was an active and vibrant student who served in leadership roles and was a member of the school’s flag team. Upon graduation Donna continued her education at Savannah Vocational Technology School,  she also attended South College. In 1980 she met and married her first husband, Merrick (Ricky) Stroman. Together they shared 38 wonderful years of marriage before his passing in 2019. Their union was blessed with three children, Merrick L. Stroman, Merika Stroman Davis, and a bonus son, Navon Stroman. Today, Donna is the proud grandmother of eight grandchildren and one great grandchild.

A lifelong resident of Savannah, Donna has consistently embodied the entrepreneurial spirit. Over the years, she has successfully owned and operated several businesses, including her home daycare, Tonie’s Tots, a beauty supply store and salon called Hair Essentials, and most recently, Sunshine Personal Care Home, which she managed for more than twenty years. Her love for people and her gift for nurturing others have always been at the center of everything she does.