Donna Lea Mayes

Donna Lea (Tinnell) Mayes, 67, passed away suddenly Monday, Jan. 16, 2017.

She was a member of the graduating class of 1968 from Central High School, Knoxville. She and her husband have been the owners and operators of Mayes Mortuary of Morristown for numerous years. Along with being active in the family business, she has been involved in many community projects and organizations, including: The Ladies Reading Circle, Pilot Club, Jaycettes, the United Way of Grainger County and the Big Brothers and Big Sisters. She relished in being the caregiver to anyone and her kitchen and doors were always open. She took great pride in being there for others.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Don and Alma Self Tinnell; and parents-in-law, Herbert and Sue Mayes.
Donna leaves her husband of over 45 years, Buddy A. Mayes; children, Terri Mayes (Michael Murrell), Tracy Mayes-Goodin Summers (Shawn) and Tyler (Erin) Mayes; very special grandkids, Makiah, Michael and Dyericus Murrell, Aaron Goodin, Mya and Faythe Summers, Kali and Kayson Mayes; siblings, Rick (Kathy) Tinnell, Kay (Jim) Myers, Terry Alan (Cindy) Tinnell, Mary Jane and Judy Mayes; aunts, Vivian Wake, Pat and Dot Self and Kathleen Harris; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation with her family will be Wednesday, Jan. 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Mayes Mortuary.

Family and friends will gather in Grainger Memorial Gardens, Rutledge at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 19 for graveside and interment services with the Rev. Danny Georges and Rev. Richard Long officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory are asked to be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Morristown, 311 Sulpher Springs Road, Morristown, TN 37813 or BGCMorristown.com.

Arrangements by Mayes Mortuary.