Doris Earlene McDonell Profile Photo

Doris Earlene McDonell

December 19, 1942 — July 15, 2025

Maryville, TN

Doris Earlene McDonell, age 82, of Maryville, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2025 at home surrounded by her family. Doris was a lifelong resident of Blount County; she was born in Maryville on December 19, 1942 to Ruth Elizabeth Hutsell and Cecil Edward Hutsell. Doris married her sweetheart Robert Allen McDonell on June 23, 1962, and they celebrated 63 years of marriage a few weeks before her passing. Doris was a 1960 graduate of Friendsville High School and a member of Springview Baptist Church. Doris graduated from Joseph’s School of Hair Design in Knoxville in 1961 and had a long career as a talented hairdresser. She had many clients and loved doing her family’s hair as well. We will think of her every time we get our hair done, since we spent so much time in Nana’s beauty shop chair.

Doris was a fantastic seamstress and loved any and all sewing projects. She hemmed pants, mended Robert’s work clothes, sewed doll clothes, made Amy’s bridesmaid dresses, and everything in between. In addition to sewing, Doris loved to knit in her later years. Many of her beauty shop clients will probably remember all of her handknit washcloths that she kept in the shop. She loved to cook, making dinner for her family almost nightly her entire life. She loved baking as well and was known for making special birthday cakes for her family. She enjoyed going on trips to Dollywood with her friends and grandchildren, and Mikayla has many fond memories of summer trips to Dollywood with her Nana. Doris was the original cat lady. She had many, many cats during her life and was known to rescue cats and kittens. She had a large collection of ceramic cats that her family will cherish forever. Her love of cats was passed down to her daughters and her grandchildren. Doris could play a mean hand of Rook and was an amazing Rook partner. No one can bluff in a game of Rook as well as Doris could! Doris loved doing her hair and makeup beautifully, enjoyed getting her nails done in her later years, and she always had on jewelry–usually something turquoise. She loved a sweet treat and she had a special affinity for Chick-fil-A ice cream and Peeps.

Doris was preceded in death by her mother Ruth Hutsell Hickman; father Cecil Hutsell; brothers Buddy Hutsell, Don Hutsell, and Dale Hutsell; sisters Mary Dae Payne, Ada Roberts, and Edna Gallagher; and many beloved pets. She is survived by her sweetheart of 63 years, Robert; daughters Amy (Joe) Wood of Greenback and Traci McDonell of Maryville; grandchildren Mikayla (Alex) Wood-Cornelius of Knoxville and Nicholas Wood of Iwakuni, Japan; sister Bobbi Dishman of Knoxville; brother-in-law Jimmy (Wanda) McDonell of Maryville; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; and her special cat BooBoo.

Above all, Doris loved her family fiercely. She was a light in our lives and we will never forget the mischievous look she always had in her eye. Doris was known for her quick wit and humor, never failing to make us laugh. Although dementia took a lot from her,

she had us laughing until the very end. Hug your family and tell them you love them. Eat some Chick-fil-A ice cream. Laugh loudly and often.

The family will be receiving friends on Saturday, July 19, 2025 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm at Springview Baptist Church; a memorial service will follow at 7:00pm. Family and friends will gather at Williamson Chapel Cemetery at 1331 Williamson Chapel Rd, Maryville, TN 37801 at 2:00pm on Sunday, July 20, 2025 for interment.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Doris’s honor to the Blount County Humane Society.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Doris Earlene McDonell, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Upcoming Services

Visitation

Saturday, July 19, 2025

6:00 - 7:00 pm (Eastern time)

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Springview Baptist Church

4220 Highway 411
Maryville, TN 37801

*Standard text messaging rates apply.

Memorial Service

Saturday, July 19, 2025

Starts at 7:00 pm (Eastern time)

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Springview Baptist Church

4220 Highway 411
Maryville, TN 37801

*Standard text messaging rates apply.

Interment

Sunday, July 20, 2025

Starts at 2:00 pm (Eastern time)

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Williamson Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery

1331 Williamson Chapel Road
Maryville, TN 37801

*Standard text messaging rates apply.

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