Dawna Leigh Dugan

Dawna Leigh Dugan, born July 18, 1960, in Franklin, Indiana, entered into rest on Friday, November 14, 2025.

Dawna grew up in Nineveh, Indiana and graduated from Indian Creek High School in 1978, where she proudly played basketball. After college, she continued her love of sports through travel softball. She went on to serve her community as an EMT in Indianapolis and later worked in the landscaping industry.

A natural entrepreneur with a passion for people, Dawna and her wife, Joyce opened The Mississippi Catfish Company in Nineveh, which they operated together for six years. In 2002, they moved to Warner Robins, Georgia, and for the past thirteen years made Perry their home. There she worked for the Board of Education in the school cafeteria and also lovingly cared for Andrews United Methodist Church through her cleaning work.

Dawna enjoyed the simple pleasures of life—fishing, camping, and cheering for the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana University basketball, and the Indiana Fever of the WNBA. Her greatest joy came from time spent with her beloved nieces and nephews, whom she adored beyond measure.

She was a proud member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Funny, outgoing, quick-witted, and feisty, Dawna had a gift for bringing laughter to any room. She loved helping others and touched countless lives with her kindness and generosity. Dawna will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to know and love her. She was preceded in death by her mother, Darlene Dugan and brother, Jeff Dugan.

Her memory will forever be treasured by her loving wife of thirty-three years, Joyce Helen Rowe; father, Donald Dugan of Edinburgh, Indiana; siblings, Dina Gossman (Eric) of Perry and Daniel Dugan (Sue) of Greenwood, Indiana; nieces and nephews, Whitni Dugan, Katie Helm, Tanner Gossman, Taitum Gossman, Tucker Gossman, Tessa Gossman, Brittney Dugan, Regan Dugan and Trey Dugan; and her beloved animals, Ace, Harley and Fluff.

The memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 22, 2025, in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home with Seminarian, Tanner Gossman officiating. At the family’s request burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial donations be given in memory of Dawna Dugan to the Friends of Perry Animal Shelter at 204 Kellwood Dr, Perry, Georgia 31069 or www.fopas.org/donate or the American Cancer Society at www.donate.cancer.org.

Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.