Donnie was born on June 2, 1955 in Dallas, Texas. He was the son of Lillie Caraway Fisher and the late Joseph R. Fisher. He graduated from Gatesville High School in 1974 and attended Prairie View A&M University. He was a member of the United Methodist Church. He is survived by his mother, Lillie Faye Fisher; one son, Shawn Dotson; three sisters, Sheila Fisher, Addie Rose Lee, Pamela Thomas; brother, Mike Fisher; five grandchildren; two nieces; one nephew and one great nephew.