Donna Lee Mitchell Stidham passed away at her home on Sunday, June 14, 2026, surrounded by family and friends.
Funeral services were 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, at Shackelford Funeral Directors - Crook Avenue with burial at Cave Springs Cemetery. The family received friends at Crook Avenue from 5-8 p.m. Monday and then from noon-2 p.m. Tuesday.
She was born on April 29, 1944, in McNairy County, the daughter of Cleadus Tull Mitchell and Cavelle Elizabeth Haggard Mitchell, and lived her entire life in the Masseyville community of Chester County.
She graduated from Chester County High School in 1962 and later from West TN Business College. In 1963, she married A.C. Stidham, and they were married for almost 52 years before his passing in 2015. She began her working career at Morgan’s Furniture before accepting a position with the Tennessee Department of Human Services where she was a secretary for over 46 years, retiring in 2011.
She and A.C. were deeply involved in Chester County youth athletics. For 35 years, they dedicated countless hours to Chester County Dixie Youth, and she served as Secretary-Treasurer for many of those. She was also the scorekeeper for the high school basketball teams for over 30 years and was instrumental in starting the Rebounders Club for CCHS. In addition to local sports, she and A.C. were avid University of Tennessee sports fans. She made many trips with family and friends to see her beloved Volunteers play and enjoyed gathering on fall Saturdays to fellowship and cheer on the Vols.
Donna was a faithful member of Mitchell’s Chapel Baptist Church where she served as songleader and Secretary/Treasury for many years until she was no longer able. When she wasn’t at a sporting event, you could find her at the nearest gospel singing, particularly if the Kingsmen were performing.
She is survived by her daughter, Kim (Jimmy) Ray; niece, Wendy (Britt) Siler; great-nephew, Drew (Lucas) Siler; and close friend Jack Wilson.
She was preceded in death by her husband, A.C.; her parents; a brother, Wayne Haggard Mitchell; sister-in law, Jeannine Mitchell; one sister, Delores Ann Mitchell; brother-in-law, Utah Stidham; and sister-in-law, Jo Stidham.
A special thanks to caregivers, Audrey Brawley, Linda Gray, Kay Hurst and Angela Kelly as well as West Tennessee Healthcare Hospice for their exceptional care.
