Donna R. Smith

Donna Hand Smith, age 89, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, passed away suddenly at home on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Donna was born on December 14, 1935, in Dickson, Tennessee.

Donna graduated from Isaac Litton High School in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1953 and worked in the business world from then on in every capacity from secretarial to bookkeeper (past secretary of the Tennessee Tax Institute) to legal assistant. She was still assisting her husband in his legal practice. Donna was much admired for her intelligence and drive.

She was a member and past officer of the Hendersonville Women’s Club and several other Community organizations here and in Destin, Florida.

She loved cooking and flowers and received recognition in the community for both but most of all she loved her family and is leaving a big hole that cannot possibly be filled.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents Earl Hand and Elizabeth Manley Hand. She is survived by her beloved husband of 60 years, James L. Smith, and by her cherished children, daughter Karen Keyes Diner and son Michael Logan Keyes. Her grandson, Jackson Canada Diner, was much loved and special to her. In addition, she is survived by her almost twin sister (born in the same year) Peggy Hand Armstrong, her brother Bill Hand, and sister-in-law Jackie Smith North (Al). Donna’s nephews and nieces were special to her, nephew James W. Armstrong III, Beth Armstrong Greene (Travis), Edward Hand (Cindi), and Tracy Hand Crider (Michael), as well as other special nephews and nieces-in-law and honorary grandchildren Charlotte, George, and Rebecca Hand.

The family would like to thank Donna’s dear friend, Darlene Rawls, and her family for all their comforting assistance during this difficult time.

A visitation and celebration of life will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2025, between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM at Hendersonville Memory Garden and Funeral Home, 353 East Main Street, Hendersonville, Tennessee.