Donna Lynne Boren (nee Rutledge) died peacefully at home on March 20, 2024. She was born
to Jerry and Eleanor Rutledge on August 6, 1959, in Memphis, TN. Donna attended high school
in Columbia, TN, graduating in 1977. Her first daughter Abigail was born in 1979, before the
family moved to Jackson, TN in 1981. While working as a laboratory technician at Jackson
General Hospital, Donna met Ricky Lee Boren at a colleague’s going away party in February
of ’85 and, never ones to dawdle, they were married August 26, 1985. They then welcomed
Ellie (1986) and A.J. (1991). They renewed their vows on September 17, 2014 on a
Mediterranean cruise surrounded by family.
Donna is preceded in death by her parents Jerry and Eleanor, son A.J. and brother David.
Her memory will live on through her husband Ricky, daughters Abigail (Steve) and Ellie, her
granddaughter Charlotte, sister Dawn Clendening (Mike), nephew and nieces Alex (Alyssa),
Delany (Will), Andrea and all who had the pleasure of her company.
After her marriage, Donna left the hospital to focus on her family, remaining an active member
of the Jackson community as a girl scout leader, den mother, and volunteer chef for a myriad of
school and church events. She loved Scrabble (too much), trivia games and long games of cards
with friends and family, but rest assured that her competitive spirit never let her go easy on
them. Donna was devoted to her children, always offering to chaperone for field trips or
volunteer at school. An amazing cook, she has passed on her passion and recipes to her
daughters and granddaughter. She was a very talented seamstress and could make anything
from window treatments to bridesmaids’ dresses, not to mention two childhood’s worth of
matching outfits for her daughters (with coordinating hair bows, of course). Donna was a huge
dog lover (in both senses – she loved dogs immensely and especially loved large breeds) and
never met a dog she did not need to pet. A brilliant and fiercely principled woman, she was
passionate about politics, especially as related to equal rights for all.
A celebration of her life will be planned for a later date. As a remembrance, donations may be
made in her honor to Planned Parenthood or the Jackson Animal Care Center.
Arrington Funeral Directors, 148 W. University Parkway, Jackson, TN 38305 731.668.1111 www.arrintonfuneraldirectors.com Facebook/Arrington Funeral Directors.
