Dr. Dava Headden Shoffner

Dr. Dava Headden Shoffner, beloved wife, mother, nursing professional, and cherished friend, passed away unexpectedly on January 24, 2025, with her husband of 63 years, Marty, by her side. She was 84 years old. Born on October 3, 1940, in Trimble, Tennessee, Dava was the daughter of David P. and Lucille Headden. She married Martin L. Shoffner in January of 1962, and together they made their home in what is now the Town of Farragut, Tennessee in 1971, where they raised their three children.
Dava's life's work was dedicated to the nursing profession, a calling she embraced from an early age. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Memphis State in 1962 and began her career as a registered nurse, initially working in obstetrics in northern Alabama. Upon returning to Tennessee in 1964, she continued to practice nursing, offering direct clinical care at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville and in private practices. Dava earned her Master's of Science in Nursing in 1981, and a Doctorate from UTK in 1988 and she went on to have a distinguished career as a faculty member at the UTK College of Nursing, specializing in women's health. As both a clinician and educator, she was known for her compassion, wisdom, and dedication. Her legacy is one of inspiration, having positively impacted the lives of countless students and patients. A colleague once said, "they don't make them like her anymore," a testament to the unique and enduring influence Dava had in the nursing community.
Throughout her career, Dava took on many leadership roles, including serving with the Tennessee Nurses Association and the American Nurses Association. She was a passionate advocate for the underserved and worked tirelessly on policy initiatives to expand access to healthcare for all. Dava was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Tennessee State Board of Nursing, was interim Dean at Tennessee Tech's School of Nursing, and served on the board of the Interfaith Health Clinic. Her service to the profession and her community left a lasting impact.
Above all, Dava was a deeply loving and selfless wife, mother, and friend. Her family, friends, and colleagues knew her for her kindness, generosity, and unwavering support. Everything she did was guided by her natural instinct to care for others, and she was always ready to lend a helping hand or offer a listening ear. Dava's legacy as a caregiver will continue to inspire all who knew her.
Dava was preceded in death by her parents, David and Lucille Headden, and her son, Scott A. Shoffner. She is survived by her husband, Marty; son Mark; daughter-in-law Laura; daughter Anne; brother Bert Headden; sister-in-law Cindy Thomas; and her beloved grandchildren, Grace Shoffner, Lucas Shoffner, and Colin McCarthy.
A receiving of friends will be held on Sunday, February 2, 2025, from 12:00-2:00 PM at Click Funeral Home's Farragut Chapel, located at 11015 Kingston Pike, Farragut, TN 37934. A service will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Interfaith Health Clinic, the University of Tennessee's Nursing Building Campaign, or the Nature Conservancy in Dava's memory.