Donna Louise Gardner Morgan
Donna Louise Gardner Morgan, 85, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and more recently of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away on August 25, 2024. She was born on July 27, 1939, to the late Lawrence and Faye Gardner in Weirton, West Virginia.
In addition to her parents, Donna was predeceased by her beloved husband, Dr. John R. Morgan, and John’s parents, Ronald and Josephine Morgan. She is survived by her daughter, Susan (Glenn) Record; her sons David (Dorinea) Morgan, Michael (Brooke) Morgan, and Stephen (Tracy) Morgan; her sister Peggy Bowers; and sister-in-law Mary Jo McKelvey. In addition, Donna was blessed to be the much loved “Nanna” to nine grandchildren: Kevin (Marla) Record, Scott (Larken) Record, Julie (Peyton) Reed, Luke Morgan, Brooke Morgan, AJ Morgan, Gretchen Morgan, Shelby Morgan, and Whitney Jane Morgan.
Donna graduated from high school in Alliance, Oh., and then earned a degree in elementary education from David Lipscomb College in 1961, where she was secretary of the Student Association, a feature editor for the school newspaper, and active in drama and debate. She and John met and married while they were at Lipscomb, and she taught elementary school in Nashville while John attended medical school. Following his pediatric internship at Vanderbilt, John and Donna spent two years stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in Ft. Walton Beach, Fl., where they made many lifelong friends. They then spent two years in Gainesville, Fl., before moving their family to Chattanooga, in 1972 to the home where they would spend the next 47 years. When their youngest entered 6th grade, Donna returned to teaching at Boyd-Buchanan School. Donna was a dedicated member of Brainerd Church of Christ and later East Brainerd Church of Christ for over 40 years and taught numerous children’s and ladies’ Bible classes. She was devoted to her husband and four children and served as Brownie troop leader, Cub Scout den mother, swim team and soccer cheerleader, and chauffeur to many sports practices and music lessons. Her beautiful cursive handwriting adorned many personal notes to those she knew, usually signed LOL, which to Donna meant Lots of Love. She was a loyal and funny friend who loved to talk, sing, and laugh…and talk some more.
The family would like to express sincere appreciation to Stacey Newman, Angela Avant, Pat Avant, the kind staff of NHC Place Cool Springs, and the Caris Hospice team for their faithful care and service to their mother.
A celebration of life service will be held at the Chattanooga Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel on Friday, Sept. 13, at 12 p.m., with visitation from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to World Bible School at worldbibleschool.net/give.
Please share your thoughts and memories online at www.ChattanoogaEastBrainerdChapel.com
Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel, 8214 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.