Donna Aaron, First Woman Elected Mayor Of Northport, Dead At 79

NORTHPORT, AL — Patch has confirmed that Donna Aaron, the first and only woman elected mayor of Northport, has died.

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She was 79 years old.

Aaron was a school teacher for three decades, most of which was spent at Tuscaloosa County High School. She also served two terms on the Northport City Council and was council president for five years, before being elected mayor in October 2016 and serving one term without seeking re-election.

Born in Wetumpka, Aaron graduated from Wetumpka High School and went on to graduate from the University of Alabama with a bachelor's degree in mathematics.

After a brief stint teaching in Columbus, Georgia, Aaron returned to Tuscaloosa to get her master's degree in math education. It was in doing so she met her husband, lifelong Northport native Sonny Aaron — a teacher and coach.

Retired Tuscaloosa County Probate Judge Hardy McCollum, who also served as interim Northport city administrator during Aaron's term, was one of the late mayor's longtime friends and political allies, who said Aaron never served any agenda other than Northport.

Here's what the late mayor had to say about McCollum in an interview with Patch:

"Mr. McCollum says the only reason he is in Northport is because of me ... He's my blessing."

"She was such a special person, she really and truly was," McCollum told Patch on Sunday, admitting he had a hard time finding the words to reflect on the loss of his friend. "Donna was just such a special individual that cared about people and the city of Northport."

McCollum then said had it not been for Aaron's dogged persistence, he would have never come out of retirement to become the city's interim administrator — a sentiment Aaron told Patch in a past interview, when she credited McCollum for her own political ascension.

"We enjoyed a very special relationship over the years here," he said. "I've known them for a very long time. I was riding through Northport on Saturday and thought, 'I should call Donna' and I didn't realize she would be gone."

He then alluded to the notion that Aaron should be honored in a special way for being the first woman elected mayor of Northport. It's worth noting that in a 2020 interview with Patch, Aaron said she "would die" if a landmark or building was ever named after her.

"She needs to be honored in some way," McCollum said. "She didn't have an agenda and was all about doing what was in the best interest of Northport."

District 1 Councilwoman Christy Bobo credits Aaron with paving the way for her own political career as the first woman appointed to elected office in Northport in September 2020, as she was running a campaign for the seat.

"I did not know I’d be allowed to jump into my term early," Bobo told Patch. "But I am so glad that I did, as it allowed me the pleasure of serving under the very first woman to be mayor of the City of Northport. Tough as nails, Mayor Donna Aaron showed me a softer side and would often look over to me to wink during our council meetings, giving a nod of support and encouragement. She led our city in a time of COVID chaos. Above all, I will always remember the way she treated me with kindness when I stepped forward to serve. I hope that her family can take comfort knowing what an honorable leader she was."

Council President Jeff Hogg, who served his first term in office under Aaron, told Patch that while he and the mayor didn't always agree, they both shared a passion for the city of Northport.

"Her knowledge of Northport and all that she had experienced in her numerous elected roles showed through in her tutoring of younger elected officials," he said. "Teaching was her nature and up until her last day in office that’s what she tried to do. She will be missed by many. God bless her family during this time."

Arrangements for Aaron have not been announced at this time.

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