David Doyle Donaldson

David Doyle Donaldson departed this life on Saturday, October 10, 2026. He was born on June
16, 1947, to the late Hurshel Donaldson and Catherine Scott Donaldson.

He was reared in a Christian family and attended Parker Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal
Church. At an early age, David accepted Christ and continued to be a member of Parker Chapel
CME Church until the time of his death.

He attended Gibson County Training School, Fly Elementary School, and Polk Clark High
School in Milan, Tennessee. He continued his education at Lane College, Jackson, Tennessee.
While at Lane College, David became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. After
graduating in 1968 he moved to Gary, Indiana for a brief period of time. In relocating, He
moved to Memphis where he worked for the Memphis City Schools as a Driver Education teacher
and later became Director of Driver Education for Memphis City Schools. David continued his
education by attending Memphis State (University of Memphis) where he received his Master’s
Degree.

He was a member of the American Driver Traffic and Safety Education Association (ADTSEA)
and a member of the Southeast Region American Driver Traffic and Safety Association for 40 plus
years. He served as President of SERADTSEA in 1996-97 where he increased the membership
of the Southern Region and hosted the conference in Atlanta, Georgia. He and his wife Linda did
not miss a conference either Nationally or Regionally for over 30 years until the 2020 shutdown
for HINI. In 2017 SERADTSEA honored David with the Tom Love award due to his dedication,
support, mentorship and overall respect for a pioneering man in driver traffic safety.

He met and married Linda Langhorne of Lynchburg, Virginia in July of 2003. Upon retirement
they moved back to David’s childhood home in Gibson County, Tennessee.
Proceeding him in death are his parents, Hurshel Donaldson and Catherine Donaldson, his
siblings, Robert (Dottie), Willie (Bettye), Carey (Maxine), Lynn (Catherine) and Dorothy (Robert).
Also, his special running partner, Edgar Lee.

Remaining to cherish David’s memory is his loving and devoted wife Linda; his two sons, Eric and
Brandon; grandchildren, Abigal Donaldson, David Isaiah Donaldson, a sister, Margaret (Lynman)
Stamps; a special nephew, Jerome (Corene) Maclin; a brother-in-law, T.R. (Jessica) Langhorne, Jr.
and a host of other nieces, nephews, family members and friends.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.