POUND, VA. OCTOBER 27, 2023

Donna Denise Cantrell, 56, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, after a long illness.
Donna was a dedicated teacher in the public school system for 33 years. She was of the Freewill Baptist faith and was a member of Indian Creek Freewill Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School and directed Vacation Bible School and Christmas plays for many years.
Donna was preceded in death by her unborn child, paternal grandparents Hiram & Nell Cantrell, maternal grandparents Earl & Jessie Slemp, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
She is survived by her loving parents, Joel and Sally Cantrell of Pound, VA; sisters, Becke Elkins (Jimmy) of Wise, VA, and Karen Cantrell of Stone Mountain, GA; nephews, Ethan Elkins (Lily) of Gray, TN and Noah Elkins of Wise, VA; a special brother, Gary Cantrell of Wise, VA; and a host of other family and friends.
Donna's life was devoted to teaching and helping others. In her long teaching career, she touched the lives of each of her students with her kindness and creativity. Her unique imagination helped bring her classroom to life. Her legacy lives on in those she taught.
Donna was a mother to many, including her nephews, younger cousins, and students. She loved deeply and fiercely. She could often be found helping create elaborate stage props or costumes for her nephews, planning a new activity for her classroom, enjoying Washington football, or visiting the beach with friends. In all things, she was herself and she did things her way. We will miss this tenacity and spirit, but we know that she will be there to welcome us into Heaven and that she will never let us forget that she beat us there.
Funeral Services for Donna Cantrell will be held at 7:00 P.M. Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel in Wise, VA, with her cousin Ola Gene Cantrell officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. till time of services at 7:00 P.M. Graveside committal services and burial will be held at 1:00 P.M. Sunday, October 29, 2023 in the Cantrell Family Cemetery. Family and friends will met at 12:30 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home to go to the cemetery in procession. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be mailed to Indian Creek Free Will Baptist Church, ℅ Bob Collier, 313 Collinwood Dr., Norton, VA 24273.
Please visit www.sturgillfuneral.com to leave online condolences for the family.
Sturgill Funeral Home 1621 Norton Road SW Wise, VA 24293 is in charge of arrangements.