Donna E. McClain

Donna Joy Edwards McClain, age 60, died on 9/12/17 at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge after a battle with Metastatic Lung Cancer. Donna was born on 9/3/57 in Colorado Springs, CO and during her youth she moved to NY, MD, and DE with her family. After graduating from William Penn High School in 1975, Donna enlisted in the Delaware Air National Guard (ANG) and soon transferred to the TN Air National Guard to be with her future husband, Richard McClain, whom she met while in Air Force Tech School almost 40 years ago.

Donna retired from the ANG and fulltime federal employment as a Master Sergeant after 28 years of service. She was an instrumental member of the 228th Combat Communications Squadron and had great pride in serving her country. Upon Donna’s retirement, she joined Methodist Medical Center as an administrative assistant to the Director of Nursing. Her passion for data processing as a decision-making tool enabled Donna to fulfill this role in a much greater capacity then had ever been anticipated. She’d always been committed to helping others and this position gave her a true sense of purpose and a feeling that her efforts were valued and appreciated.

Donna was predeceased by her beloved husband Richard, parents Corrinne & Charles Edwards, and brother Andy. She is survived by her loving sister Safiya Edwards, two daughters Leigh Curry (Mark) and Erin McClain, and the five grandchildren who were the light of her life (Evan & Remy Clarke, Cassidy & Chase Curry, and Marissa Castleberry) as well as a large group of friends and extended family.

Throughout her life Donna was a devoted mother, confidante, and great friend who did everything in her power to help her children when they needed her. Additionally, she was intensely committed to all of her grandchildren and had had primary custody of Evan and Remy Clarke since 2010. In Donna’s early twenties, she was an amazing disco dancer and instructed it for a time. She was extremely talented at cross-stitching, gardening, baking, and computers. Donna spent her life giving her whole self to every job she ever had, finding pride and happiness in her service to others.

During her illness, Leigh and Erin along with Chrissy Brandon (surrogate daughter), Leigh’s dog Roscoe (Donna loved dogs), and numerous others provided an array of support. She often used humor and sarcasm to brighten everyone’s mood, even in her final days. Donna had a very strong faith and she truly felt the power of prayer throughout her illness. Donna prayed for others and appreciated the many who prayed for her comfort.

In accordance with Donna’s wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held on October 21, 2017 at 3 PM at Weaver Funeral Home at 5815 Western Avenue, Knoxville, TN (865- 588-3868). We will celebrate with laughter, love, and our personal stories about Donna. Please RSVP to 865-216-6146 if you will be able to join us. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you contribute to https://www.gofundme.com/evan-and-remy-clarke to provide for her grandsons’ future.