Donna Rae Kiest

Donna Rae Kiest, age 79, passed away Wednesday, October 29, 2025, in Dickson, Tennessee. She was born Donna Rae Benson on November 12, 1945, to Jesse and Virginia Wratchford Benson in Baltimore, Maryland. Donna graduated from Southern High School in 1963. She met the love of her life John Landon Tully, Jr. at a soda shop. They were wed June 27, 1964, and had two daughters, Kara and Laura. Not wanting their daughters raised in the city they moved to Tennessee. Years of laughter, joy and love were shared in Antioch. Numerous trips to visit family back in Baltimore and West Virginia made memories that will last forever. In the late 80’s they moved to Bon Aqua, Tennessee. John and Donna loved spending their retirement in Gulf Breeze, Florida, where he tragically passed away in 2001. In 2008 Donna met widower, Larry Kiest. The two wed April 18, 2009. The new couple enjoyed traveling together. Sadly, Larry passed away suddenly on November 14, 2009. Donna had a huge love of reading. She especially relished mystery novels and would go through 3-4 books a week. She loved spending time with her daughters. She spent many days working with Kara in her pottery studio and relaxing at Laura and Richie’s River House. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the light of her life. She loved it when they came to visit, reading them stories and sharing her M&M’s. Donna was preceded in death by her husband John Tully, Jr., and husband Larry Kiest, her loving mother, Virginia Benson, father Jesse Benson, and grandson Jerry Wayne Teet. She was the last of her nine siblings: Roy, Elmer, George, Glenn, Patricia, Edna, Ronald, and Jesse, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Donna leaves behind her daughters Kara (Richard) Thomas, Laura (Richard) Teet; grandchildren, Cody (Chelsea) Dile, Kayleigh Thomas, Steven Thomas, Lily Thomas, Anastasia Teet, Jacob Teet; great-grandchildren, Landon Dile, Tate Dile, Kinsley Teet, Jace Teet, and Isabella Teet; sisters-in-law Ann Benson and Patricia Sheldon, and sister in love, Barbara Smith and many nieces and nephews, and dear friends. Donna will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Please join us celebrating her life on November 8, 2025, at the Wagon Wheel in Bon Aqua at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Imagination Library to bring the love of reading to all children.

Donna Rae Kiest

November 12, 1945 - October 29, 2025