On November 2, 2025, Donna Jean Godchaux MacKay of Florence, AL passed away in Nashville TN after a long battle with cancer. She was born on August 22, 1947 in Florence, AL, and graduated from Sheffield High School in 1965. She is preceded in death by her parents, Chester Ivan Thatcher “Chet” and her mother, Jamie Rae Saywell (Jeffreys), as well as her first husband, Keith Godchaux. She is survived by her husband, David MacKay; her children, Zion Godchaux MacKay, Kinsman Mackay (wife Molly); her grandson, Delta Godchaux; her sister, Gogi Clark (husband Paul and children, Arron Helms and Bridgette Powell) of Muscle Shoals, and brother, Ivan Thatcher (wife Penny, and daughter Jamie) of Petaluma, California.
In the mid to late 1960’s as a member of the vocal group Southern Comfort, Donna sang on notable Muscle Shoals and Memphis recordings with artists such as Percy Sledge, Elvis Presley, Cher, Neil Diamond, Etta James, and Boz Scaggs, as well as many other artists. In 1969 she moved to San Francisco where she met and married pianist Keith Godchaux. Soon, in the early 1970’s they both joined the Grateful Dead and were with the band for the duration of the 1970’s. She as well was a member of the Jerry Garcia Band; and sang with other artists associated with the Grateful Dead family such as the New Riders of the Purple Sage and the Keith and Donna Band. After leaving the Grateful Dead, Keith and Donna formed the Heart of Gold Band. Soon after, Keith passed away but Donna continued fronting the band. It was there that Donna met bassist David MacKay, and the two were married in 1981. In 1994 Donna, David and sons, Zion and Kinsman relocated to Florence, AL. She continued in music with the bands: the Donna Jean Band, Donna Jean and the Tricksters, and the Donna Jean Godchaux Band with Jeff Mattson. As well, she sang vocals on recordings by her sons, Zion and Kinsmans band Boombox; and the Shoals band Fiddleworms of which her husband David is a member. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 as a member of the Grateful Dead and inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 2016. The family asks that instead of flowers, a charitable donation be made to Alive Hospice in Nashville, TN.
