Donna Jean (Laughlin) Blackwell was born May 18, 1946, in Hamilton, Ohio, the daughter of Howard and Roberta (Russell) Laughlin.

She graduated from Talawanda High School in 1964 in Oxford, Ohio. She graduated from the Hamilton Program of Practical Nurse Education in 1965 and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. She graduated from Miami University in 1971 with an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Nursing and became a Registered Nurse working as an RN in both Ohio and Tennessee. She was a home health nurse in Hickman County and especially enjoyed visiting her elderly patients within her care. Often her smile was able to brighten their day.

She married Hollis Nolan Blackwell on April 14, 1990, in Oxford, Ohio.

She was a member of the First Christian Church of Oxford, Ohio, before moving to Centerville, Tennessee. After moving to Tennessee, she became a member of the Church of Christ at Coble and taught the Precious Gems Class for children at Sunday School for many years. Her favorite Bible verse was Matthew 25:40.

She was a member of Centerville Chapter # 329, Order of the Eastern Star and served as Secretary for many years. She was a Grand Representative of Connecticut in Tennessee during 2007-2009 during which time she attended the Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star of Ohio in 2008 in Dayton, Ohio.

She enjoyed cross stitching, playing the piano, and family history. She would share the information about the family to other relatives to keep the history of each family to pass on to future generations.

She is survived by cousins: Eugene Russell, Kenneth Russell, Gary Russell, Marvin Russell, David Russell, Sarah Morefield, Mae Campbell, Mary Meister, Cheryl Neel, Mary Liz Lamb, and Bill and Barb Schmidt; nieces & nephews, great-nieces and nephews, 3 great-great nieces, 1 great-great-great niece, special friend, Barbara (Weaver) Howell and other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband in 2016, cousins, Robert Lee Russell, Mary Ann Hudson, Ruth Grollmus, Florence Augusberger and friend, Jean Barber.

An Eastern Star Service will be held 12 Jan 2026 at 6:00 PM at McDonald Funeral Home – Hickman County.  Visitation with the family will be 13 Jan 2026 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the Church of Christ at Coble, Centerville, TN. Funeral Services will follow at 1:00 PM.