Donald Michael Elzey, 67, of Goode, Virginia, passed away on March 19, 2026. He was the son of the late Cecil Carroll Elzey and the late Betty Lou Parsons Elzey.

Donald was born on October 23, 1958, in Elmer, New Jersey. He attended the Elsmere School for the Handicapped in Glassboro, New Jersey until age 18, and then went on to attend various day supports in both New Jersey and Virginia. He also attended the Lynchburg Sheltered Workshop for a few years, where he was able to achieve the personal satisfaction of riding the city bus and bringing home a small paycheck. His most recent Day Support was in Madison Heights, Virginia, where he made many friends, worked on personal skills, and enjoyed many adventures in the community.

Donald grew up in a loving home in Glassboro, New Jersey with godly parents who cared deeply about him and his special needs, which included cerebral palsy, scoliosis, and intellectual disability. Although he carried these burdens throughout his lifetime, he did not let these difficulties define him. Anyone who had the privilege of knowing Donald can tell you that he had a charismatic, happy personality, not focusing on his own problems, but more interested in the people around him.

After the death of his mother in 1969, Donald’s father sacrificially cared for Donald, his two special needs brothers and his sister. When his father passed in 1978, and until 1995, Donald was cared for by several kind foster families in New Jersey. In 1995 Donald moved from New Jersey to Virginia to live with his sister, Carol Sosnoski, and her family, where he became and remained a beloved family member. In 2007 he moved to a group home in Rustburg, Virginia where he lived until 2011. He then came under the loving care of a sponsored residential family in Goode, Virginia, who cared for him until his final illness in January 2026.

Donald loved going to church and attended Heritage Baptist Church, and later Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church. The worship music and friendships forged made church a special part of Donald’s life. Donald loved music of many styles, and it was astonishing how many songs he knew. He also loved family and social gatherings, arts and crafts, community activities and camping.

Donald is survived by his sister, Carol Sosnoski, and brother-in-law, James E. Sosnoski; brothers Robert C. Elzey and David M. Elzey; nieces Laura Lampman, Elisabeth Brincefield, Jessica Foster and Kathryn Sosnoski; nephews James M. Sosnoski, Aaron Sosnoski, Benjamin Sosnoski and Jonathan Sosnoski; numerous great-nephews and a great-niece; and numerous friends and caregivers in the community.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother, Douglas Parsons Elzey.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a special needs community of personal choice.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on April 25, 2026, at 2:00 pm at Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, 220 Breezewood Drive, Lynchburg, VA, with Pastor Paul M. Raymond officiating. Family and friends will be received at the funeral home for the hour preceding the service.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.