Donna Ragan Siegel

Donna Ragan Siegel

Of Nashville and Dickson, TN, died Saturday, October 18, 2014 peacefully at her home with family by her side. Finally succumbed after a long bout with cancer.

Donna was the daughter of one of Dickson's Founding Families: Henry Vanderbilt Ragan and Nancy June (Carroll) Ragan. The granddaughter of Roy and Mai (Mathis) Ragan; and Claude and Carrie Carroll. Donna and her older brother Dale Ragan grew up in Dickson, TN, the children of Henry and Nancy Ragan. Owners of the Friendly Neighbor Store. Donna's heritage includes the Carroll Family, the Mathis Family and the Bell Family. Her roots and family are deeply involved with Dickson County.

Donna was married to Robert Perry Siegel, long time chef/restauranteur in Nashville, TN. Married May 25th, 1975, Donna and Robert celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary this past May.

Donna graduated 1965 from Dickson County High School, and attended college at David Lipscomb University in Nashville. She graduated with a Bachelors in Speech and Theater. Donna was a graduate of the famous Improv Group 'The Groundlings' out of Los Angeles. Donna Siegel started as a teacher, Speech and Theater, at Dickson County High School, and at Hillsboro High School. In her early career, Donna was an entertainer, singer and comedian. She was known throughout the theater community with many lead parts in Community Theater, Dinner Theater and College Theater. She spent almost 25 years with Opryland Live Entertainment Group in many capacities. As a singer, she led the Group 'Three of a Kind' which had it's own Opryland show for many years. The group sang as back-up for Roy Clark and performed independently in hundreds of forums and shows. They produced a Gospel Album in 1975. In her career as an actress, Donna worked in numerous films, shows, television and commercials. She was a member of AFTRA/ SAG. Her credits include Grand Ole Opry, Nashville Palace, Porter Waggoner Show, General Hospital, I-40 Paradise, HBO's All Night Radio, My Body My Child, Framed. Commercials include Toyota, HCA, American Ace Coffee, and Opryland USA.

Donna created the business 'Teletune' which was a singing telegram service in Nashville, which she sold successfully to its employees. Donna spent a few years as the Mother Character in the Christmas Show, and as the Production Manager for the Music City Rockettes Show at the Grand Old Opry.

As the entertaining career wound down, Donna became a Talent Agent and Show Producer for the Opryland Talent Agency. She was a million dollar producer for a number of years dealing in Industrial Shows and Entertainment Productions. This led her into the Meeting Planning industry where she eventually became President of Nashville's Meeting Planners International. After Opryland's closure, Donna went into office administration where she worked for Vanderbilt University in the Law School and in Vanderbilt Medical School. Donna retired from professional life in 2007. Donna and Robert Siegel lived primarily in Antioch and Nashville, TN, but at different times had residence in New Orleans, LA, Provincetown, MS and Los Angeles CA. Their home is located in the Bellevue suburb of Nashville. Donna's Primary interests were in theater, voice, comedy and entertainment - but did have a special interest in the Tennessee Titans and had her PSL seat on the 50 yard line. Donna was a vital and active member of the Antioch Church of Christ, where she participated in every aspect of her religious community. At different times she taught the toddlers in Sunday School, was part of VBS and took an interest in all the congregation and it's activities. Her religion and faith were paramount in her life.

Survivors include her husband of 39 years, Robert Siegel; her brother, Dale Ragan and his wife Mavis; her nieces and nephews, Brian Patrick Ragan, Rhonda Ragan Helms, Todd Ragan, Alan Ragan and Jennifer Ragan Spann; her thirteen great nieces and nephews.

There are three visitations planned. The first will be Thursday, October 23rd at the Antioch Church of Christ, 2142 Antioch Pike, Antioch, TN from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. The second visitation will be Friday, October 24th at Taylor Funeral Home in Dickson, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, October 25th at 1 p.m., from the Chapel of the Taylor Funeral Home, with Randy Paterson, Michael Meise, Dale Ragan and Brian Ragan officiating. The third visitation will begin on Saturday morning beginning at 12 Noon, until time of service. Place of rest will be in the Ragan Addition of the Dickson Union Cemetery.

For those desiring, memorials may be made to Alive Hospice or American Cancer Society.

Taylor Funeral Home, Dickson, TN (615) 446-2808; Taylorsince1909.com