Clara L Varnum

Clara L Varnum 86, of Donelson passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2015. She was born January 5, 1929 to John and Maybelle Ward Steiner, her step mother was Bertha Strobl Steiner. Her parents preceded her in death as did her beloved husband, Gene Varnum and two sons Jeffery Lawrence and Michael Leonard Ritter.

Clara grew up in Louisville Kentucky and moved to Donelson in 1955. She worked at Donelson Children's Clinic and McKendree. Clara worked and retired from Gaylord Live Entertainment Department. She attended Holy Rosary Catholic Church for 60 years, she served on the Parrish council for years. In 1978 she coached the girls 7th and 8th grade basketball team, and also coached girls softball and relay races. She was a sports enthusiast which included teaching bowling, playing bridge, coached softball team for Gaylord coed team, tennis, watching the Atlanta Braves and her passion was attending her beloved Tennessee Titans football team which she was a PSL holder.

She is survived by her children Diana (Bobby) South, Susan Burr (Chris Hallock), Cindie Brown, John (Joann) Ritter, 9 Grandchildren, 22 Great Grandchildren, 1 Great Great Grandchild with twin girls due in June of 2015. 2 Step Children, Carol Varnum, Rebecca Bullion and 3 step Grandchildren. Her sister Nancy (Burton) Pauly. Clara never met a stranger and was always a social butterfly. She had so many close friends from years of working and traveling. She loved to travel to Las Vegas, Aztar and Nassau Bahamas.

The family wishes to thank all of the staff @ Provision in Hermitage where she resided for the last 18 months. We would like to thank the staff at Summit Hospital 6th floor where she received excellent care for the past 7 months.

The family will receive friends for visitation from 4 pm – 8 pm on Thursday, March 12, 2015 at Hermitage Funeral Home on Shute Lane. Visitation will also be on Friday, March 13, 2015 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church on Graylynn Drive a Rosary will be said at 10:15, a Mass will follow at 11 am with burial service afterwards at Hermitage Memorial Gardens. Her pallbearers are her grandchildren and great grandchildren Ronnie Heath, Wayne Fox, Austin Ritter, Juan Aranda , Phillip McGuire alternative Marty Polk,.

In lieu of flowers a donation to your favorite charity in Clara's memory.