Donna Jean (Blades) Napier, age 84, passed away peacefully into the arms of her Heavenly Father on October 31, 2023, at her residence.

Her infectious smile and witty sense of humor were loved by all who knew her. She was famous throughout the county for her mouthwatering pies and homemade chicken and dumplings. She was an avid reader and enjoyed a lifelong love of books, but her greatest joy in life was spending time with her family and friends. She was a retired insurance agent, a Christian, and a member of the Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club, as well as a volunteer for many DeKalb County organizations.

She was born December 11, 1938, in West Frankfort, Illinois, to her parents, the late Robert Willis Blades and Tressie Sybil (Burlison) Blades. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Thurman Napier; devoted son, Thomas Napier; and three precious grandchildren, Stacey Bain Powell, Dusty Bain, and Amy Napier Miller; four sisters, Jean Mishler, Wilma Balser, Edith Shadwell, and Elaine Jenkins; one brother William Blades and several nieces and nephews.

She is survived by four loving children, Carol (A.J.) Bain of Smithville, Jane (Rickey) Mathis of Liberty, Greg (Deborah) Napier of Smithville, and Nancy (Dimitrios) Vafeas of Sarasota, Florida; six grandchildren, Jennifer Reeves, Brandi McDonald, Mathew Napier, Samantha Herron, Alexander Vafeas, and Olivia Vafeas; 14 great-grandchildren and three great, great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service was held Friday, November 3, 2023, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Billie Friel and Bro. Michael Hale officiating and burial followed in DeKalb Cemetery.

Pallbearers included Justin Reeves, Dylan Reeves, Canaan Bain, Matthew Napier, Alexander Vafeas, and Blake Moore.

Donations may be made to Justin Potter Library in her memory.  

DeKalb Funeral Chapel, Smithville, was in charge of arrangements.

Smithville Review

(Smithville, Tenn.)

Nov. 8, 2023