Tonya Lane Vandagriff Carter

Tonya (Nona) Vandagriff Carter, 52 years old, earned her angel wings at Alive Hospice in Murfreesboro, TN on Saturday, April 27, 2024.

Tonya at a youthful age, was renowned for her mouth, not holding back her opinion and had a knack for telling it like it is. She always told you the truth even if it was not what you wanted to hear. She is remembered for her generous hospitality by putting others first, her quick wit and her ability to put a “SMILE” on your face and make everyone laugh. One of her quotes at “Game Night” was “That’s not how we play it.”

With a variety of careers, a collection of passions, and pursuits she had a flare for excelling at any challenge she faced no matter the field.

She was a member of Midland Heights Baptist Church in Shelbyville, TN.

She is survived by her parents, Joyce Vandagriff of Christiana, TN and Allen (Natalie) Vandagriff of Knoxville, TN, Sisters, Kimberly Vandagriff of Christiana, TN and Melissa (Davis) Payne of Manakin-Sabot, VA. Nephews, Tyler (Bailey) Cravens, of Murfreesboro, TN, Keegan Payne of Fairfax, VA and Tanner Payne of Manakin-Sabot, VA, Nieces Olivia and Isabella Payne of Manakin-Sabot, VA. Great Nephew Ryder Cravens of Murfreesboro, TN. As well as her fur babies, Tinkerbell, Ryder, Gracie, Ebonie and Butterscotch. And an abundance of lifelong friends that she loved dearly.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Clarence and Alma Brummett and William and Goldie Vandagriff and several aunts and uncles.

Pallbearers: Tyler Cravens, Keegan Payne, Tanner Payne, Olivia Payne, Isabella Payne, Michael P. Phillips, Matthew Moore, Jerry Moore, Michael Clark, and Phillip Vandagriff. Honorary Pallbearers: Ryder Cravens and her Mary Kay Friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family request any donations be made in memory of Tonya Carter at The Mary Kay Foundation, Dallas, TX ( www.marykayashfoundation.org ), St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN ( www.stjude.org/give ), and The ECSCA Health & Rescue Organization  (www.ecscahealthandrescue.org )   

Visitation will be held at Mynatt Funeral Home, Halls Chapel, 4131 E. Emory Road, Knoxville, TN 37938. Visitation 11:30 am – 1:00p on Thursday, May 2, 2024, with service at 1pm and interment following at Fort Sumter Cemetery, Knoxville, TN. 

The family will have a Celebration of Life at a later date and time in Murfreesboro, TN.