Donna Vashti Nannet Browning, 73, a resident of Knoxville, Tenn., passed away Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, at Tenova Medical Center, Knoxville, Tenn.
Donna was born Feb. 4, 1941, in Tucson, Ariz. She was the daughter of William H. Nannet and Vashti V. (Allhands) Nannet.
Donna was raised in the New Richmond area. She attended Coal Creek Central, graduating in 1959. She attended college at Florida Christian College in Temple Terrace, Fla. She married Berne Bennett in 1961. After moving with her family to Durham, N.C., she began a long career as a teacher’s assistant in the Durham County Schools Deaf Education program. Donna brought a special gift to the classroom as she was profoundly hearing impaired since infancy. She served as an inspiration to the many children and parents who loved her dearly over the years.
Donna loved to read, cook, sew, scrapbook, and visit with friends and family. One of her greatest joys was attending the annual Allhands family reunion held every summer in New Richmond at the home of her brother and sister-in-law, Tyler and Beverly Nannet. She was instrumental in organizing pictures and family mementos into beautiful scrapbooks that she proudly displayed at every reunion.
Those left to honor her memory include husband, Bruce E. Browning of Knoxville, Tenn.; daughter Tami Wenzl of Crawfordsville; sons, Christopher (Megan) Bennett of Madison, Wisc., and Timothy (Inna) Bennett of Minneapolis, Minn.; step-son Jody Browning, Durham, N.C.; seven grandchildren, Kara and Kelsey Wenzl, Anthony Newcombe, Lilly and Charlie Bennett, Simon and Anna Bennett; and brother Tyler (Beverly) Nannet of New Richmond.
She was sadly missed. Her memory will remain forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
A service will be held Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, at Glenwood Baptist Church, Powell, Tenn.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Building Fund at Glenwood Baptist Church, 7212 Central Avenue Pike, Powell, TN 37849.