Francine Garrett Donnell

A sweet spirited lady and friends to all, has surrendered the working tools of life and gone to her heavenly reward to be with her Lord and Savior and family members who have gone on before.
Ms. Francine Garrett Donnell age 72 of Carthage entered into eternal rest at her Cordell Hull Circle home on Sunday morning December 21, 2025. She was pronounced deceased at 10:27 A.M. at the Highpoint Health-Riverview Medical Center Emergency Room.
A gathering of family and friends to Celebrate her Life is scheduled to be observed on Saturday afternoon December 27th at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral home with Bro. Preston Carter and Pastor, Jeff Huddleston officiating the 1 p.m. funeral services. Burial will follow near her dearly beloved mother in Circle Park at the Smith County Memorial Gardens.
The visitation will be only on Saturday December 27th from 11 a.m. until the 1 p.m. service at Sanderson in Carthage.
One of eleven children of the late Riddleton Community native Robert Haskell (Hack) Garrett who preceded her in death on October 28, 1985 at the age of 66 and the late Chestnut Mound Community native, Fannie Lucille Brown Garrett who also preceded her in death on July 25, 2020 at the age of 92, she as born Francine Garrett in Carthage on January 25, 1953.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Tamekia Antonia Black who died at the age of 46 on August 23, 2021, a son-in-law, Chris Black who died at the age of 43 on May 23, 2012 and by the father of her children, Le Roy Donnell who died at the age of 63 on May 25, 2016.
The eight siblings which preceded her in death were a set of twins who died at birth, John Glenn Garrett, Lauretta Garrett Richardson, Ronald Garrett, Teresa Garrett Hill, Jimmie Garrett who died July 25, 2009 at the age of 50 and Timothy Garrett who died May 13, 2023 at the age of 65.
Ms. Donnell was a member of the 1971 graduating class at Smith County High School. There she majored in home economics, being a member of the Future Homemakers of America all four years, also the pep club all four years, Spring Festival and Fall Festival her sophomore year and the Spanish Club her senior year.
It was stated of her character in the '71 Owl annual, "Silence is more eloquent than words."
Ms. Donnell was a licensed cosmetologist having been employed at the Guys and Dolls in South Carthage and Smith County Health and Rehabilitation Center in Carthage and was a former employee of Precision Rubber in Lebanon.
She was saved at an early age into the Baptist faith and was a member of the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Carthage.
Surviving is a daughter, Kyra Garrett of LaVergne; son, Quentin "Quin" Donnell of Carthage; sisters, Katherine Huddleston and husband Robert of Lebanon, Ronessa Garrett Blair and husband Virgil of LaVergne, five grandchildren, Keyonna Black, Shante Black, Jamaris Black, La Shawn Donnell, Malik Silcox; six great grandchildren; devoted niece, Carie Williams, a devoted friend, Larry Flatt; a host of nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law, Patricia York and Denise Garrett.
The family request memorials to assist with expenses.
Honorary Pallbearers: Larry Flatt, Malik Silcox, De Andre Garrett, Virgil Blair, Dillon Pounds, &
Michelle Davidson
Active Pallbearers: Shawn Donnell, Jamaris Black Darus Montgomery, Sean Williams, Terrence Gibbs, Elliott Evans
Flower Ladies: Granddaughters and Nieces