Donna Johnson

Donna Sadler Johnson, 81, peacefully passed to rest with the Lord November 15, at her home in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Visitation will be held Saturday from 10 to Noon at Hendersonville Memorial Gardens immediately followed by a Celebration of Life with Dr. Stan Wilson and Keith Parker officiating. A private burial will follow the service.

Born and raised in North Springs, Tennessee, Donna moved to Hendersonville in 1965, where she quickly became active in various clubs and organizations. She served as a faithful and active member of Hendersonville Church of Christ for 58 years. 

Donna had a passion for teaching. For 20 years, she served as an Associate Professor of English and Reading at Volunteer State Community College and received the National Holocaust Commission’s Educator Award for her lessons on the Holocaust. In the late 1980’s, Donna lived in Tomioka and Fujioka City, Japan, teaching conversational English.  

Donna’s love of travel was unmatched. She traveled to dozens of countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. Her favorite country was England, which she visited year after year due to her love of western literature and her English heritage.

Donna enjoyed cute clothes and fine handbags, spending time and laughing with her friends, peanut butter, music, Charles Dickens, and collecting Santas. Her greatest love was her family, whom she adored.

She is survived by her daughters Shannon (Mike) Hickman of Franklin, Tennessee, and Kristen Foster of Hendersonville, Tennessee, her grandchildren Caanan (Austin) Large of West Melbourne, Florida, Robert Hickman of Nashville, Tennessee, and Joy Hickman of Nashville, Tennessee, her great-grandchildren Adalee and Shepard, and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents Robert and Mazell Sadler and her brother Ray Morris Sadler.

Pall bearers are Robert Hickman, Mike Hickman, Austin Large, Corey Mead, Rob Wilson, and Troy Sadler.

Honorary pall bearers are Mike and Barbara Ward, David and Martha Inez Satterfield, Ladies’ Small Group, and Don Litchford’s Small Group.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society and the National Kidney Foundation.