Donna Lorraine (Black) Woods
August 21, 1948 - July 27, 2013
Knoxville, TN- Woods, Donna Lorraine (Black) brightened this world on August 26, 1948, and every day thereafter. She left us to let her light shine brighter on July 27, 2013. She was one-in-a-million, so the recounting of life with us should be as well. Unfortunately, there's no way to measure up to, or capture, the joy that was being around Donna. And she'll forgive us for falling short, because that was just the kind of heart she shared with everyone. And we shall forever be grateful.
Donna loved being around people and easily endeared herself to those she met, most likely qualities she developed as a child of a career military father. She spent her childhood as a world traveler, getting to call places like Japan and Hawaii home before graduating from Baker High School in Columbus, Georgia in 1966. . The draw of the military lifestyle followed her when she married Maj. (Ret.) John B. Woods on April 2, 1976. Continuing to live someplace new every few years seemed to agree with Donna and the family—a trend that was finally broken when John, Donna and their son Chris retired from the military in 1991 and put down permanent roots in Knoxville.
Donna was the consummate multi-tasker: talking on the phone while helping John drive; making her famous deviled eggs while contemplating which stores to hit first the day after Thanksgiving; and, probably for what she was best known, thinking of others all the time, regardless of what she was doing or experiencing. And those who knew her shall forever be grateful.
She was such a giving soul—lending jewelry when someone needed that special piece to complete an outfit, going shopping with her kids when it was time to buy backpacks for underprivileged children or toys for children placed in foster care at the holidays, making sure her medical team had an ample supply of Peeps or ginger snaps to keep up their energy and focus. The beneficiaries of her kindness shall forever be grateful.
Donna also had an uncanny ability to understand others, what they were feeling, and always knowing how to make them feel better about a situation. Co-workers often sought Donna's insight on difficult situations, and it was her deftness at handling those who were upset that led her to thrive in her job as Director of Operational Services and IMAX at Regal Entertainment Group, from where she retired in April of this year. And those with whom she worked, and the public whom she served, shall forever be grateful.
She and John enjoyed weekend outings together, including going to Penn State football games and trips to Dollywood. Since she and Chris were absolutely cut from the same cloth, she knew exactly what he needed and when he needed it—from the stick with a sandwich attached to it when he declared his intent to run away, to enough posterboards, glue, and markers to ensure his bid for senior class president was successful, to stalking, in a kind and gentle way, of course, his first date with his now-wife Laura to ensure that this young lady was worthy of her boy's affections. For all these wonderful memories, caring hugs, eye twinkles, nose twitches and impromptu dances through stores, her family shall forever be grateful.
Donna was preceded in death by her father, Col. (Ret.) Donald Black; her mother, Lorraine Black; and her brother, Gary Black. She is survived by her favorite husband, John and her favorite son, Chris and her favorite daughter-in-law, Laura. She is also survived by her brother, Loren Black and wife Diana, of Boynton Beach, Florida, and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
The family will receive friends on Friday, August 2, 2013, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you honor Donna's giving spirit by donating to the charity of your choice or to Variety of Eastern Tennessee, Attn: Carol Fusco, 7132 Regal Lane, Knoxville, Tennessee 37918 (www.varietytn.org). Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel, 11915 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN is serving the Woods family.