Donna Sue Hoover

Donna Sue Hoover, 76, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee passed away on September 2, 2025, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She was born in Woodbury, Tennessee on March 29, 1949. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter C. Hoover, Sr. and Amy Iree (Tucker) Hoover, siblings, Idella Carver, Virginia Smith, John D. Hoover, Walter Hoover, Jr. and Reba Lewis.

She is survived by her special nephew, Randy Green, numerous other nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews, and her loyal dog, Peaches.

She was the baby of the family many years younger than her siblings. Some had started their own families by the time she arrived. Her nephew Randy was only about a year younger than her. They became very close she considered him a brother, and he considered her, his bossy older sister. Even so, she doted on all her nieces and nephews. Since she had no children of her own, she could spoil them rotten and send them home.

People would often describe her as "a mess" in other words, she liked to cut up and carry on. Even when she was sick, she loved to laugh and make other people laugh. She liked to be the life of the party and live every moment to the fullest. Even though she made a mean dessert it didn't mean she would sugar coat what she was thinking. She would tell you like it was and set the record straight.

Donna’s old-fashioned fried peach pies, mandarin orange cake, and fruit salad topped the list of favorite desserts she made. The church fellowship meals and other family special occasions wouldn’t have been quite as sweet without them. Those family gatherings at Sunday lunch, birthdays or holidays were her time to shine. Like the Halloween party she threw. She set up the house like a miniature haunted house complete with her nephews, decked out like zombies from the grave. Her nieces also remember back in the days before they could drive, Aunt Donna Sue would take them riding around in her car to the regular spot to see boys at the old Shoney's in Murfreesboro. They never forgot the time she took them to see Sonny and Cher either.

Her highlight reel of places she'd visited was a long one. Seeing places as varied and far away as Hawaii, Canada, Martha's Vineyard, Cayman Islands and the Bahamas, just to name a few. She was always game for a trip to somewhere new. Being at home also brought a certain kind of peace. Digging in the dirt, planting some new flowers and being home to take care of her beloved fur baby, Peaches renewed and refreshed her spirit. Going on the hunt to find some of her favorite collectables like vintage washboards and cream pitchers, harkened back to times from her past and the way she was raised.

Donna’s faith and church family were an important component in her life. She loved the people at Cedar Grove Methodist Church where she attended almost 30 years. She was active in fellowship with the other ladies there and had an interest in the vision and direction of the church through her role on the trustee’s board. In addition to her own church, she joined a quartet with another group of Christians from Millersburg Baptist Church. Being able to praise and worship God in song gave her great joy.

She was raised in the mindset that you took care of things yourself and didn’t burden your family with them. It was through her faith that she was able to face the difficulties and struggles of this life. Living each day to the fullest knowing her Lord and Savior would carry her into heaven.

Donna’s wish was to be cremated and laid to rest with her family at Thyatira Cemetery. They will hold a family gathering to honor her memory. They would like to thank the doctors and nurses at the hospital and Alive Hospice for their care and compassion. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Alive Hospice. Share condolences and stories at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337. Because every life has a story.