Donna McKellar Easter

Donna Charlotte Bacon McKellar Easter, 86, passed away on August 23, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee, after a very brief illness. She was preceded in death by her parents Donald and Janice McKellar, as well as her husband Luke Easter. She is survived by her son, Josh Easter (Laura), and grandchildren Frannie Easter Hogan (Matt) and Jack Easter. She also is survived by a half-daughter, Amanda Safron (Geoff), and grandchildren Michael Hudgens and Evan Hudgens.

Born July 22, 1939, in Washington, D.C., Donna grew up in Jackson, Tennessee, where she graduated from Jackson High School. She later graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, Virginia, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. Donna later earned a master’s degree in art history from Vanderbilt University in Nashville.Donna spent the majority of her career in educational settings, serving as a middle school and high school Spanish and Art History teacher in Memphis and Nashville, with her final roles occurring locally at John Overton High School and West End Middle School. Outside of the classroom during the 1980s, she served as director of a televised art history educational series, “Art Hysteria”, on WDCN.

Donna was known for her boundless creativity, an eye for design, and her vibrant personality. In her prime, she often could be found painting pictures of local schools and iconic buildings across Nashville, or at her beloved St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, where she also designed and did the needlework forthe altar kneelers that still remain in place today. Her passion for the arts even carried over to her love of movies, in which “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” and “Pulp Fiction” and everything in between made her watchlist in her final days. Donna’s sharp mind and remarkable memory, whether recalling details from last week or fifty years ago, remained with her until the very end. Above all else, she will be remembered for her patience, unselfishness, and unconditional love for family and friends alike. Donna truly saw the best in everyone she encountered – steadfastly, even in their most vulnerable moments.

Following a private graveside service on Friday, September 5, 2025, at B’nai Israel Cemetery in Jackson, a memorial service to celebrate Donna’s life will be held Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 3:00 PM at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 4800 Belmont Park Terrace, Nashville, TN 37215.

Arrington Funeral directors, 148 W. University Parkway, Jackson, TN 38305 731.668.1111 https://www.arringtonfuneraldirectors.com/