Betty Dana Hundley Herbert of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Dana was born on November 7, 1938, in Warfield, Virginia, to Taylor Dallas Hundley, Sr., and Lillie Snead Hundley.
Dana graduated from Culpeper High School in Culpeper, Virginia, in 1956, where she was Valedictorian of her class and honored as the State Latin Champion. She continued her education at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, where she pursued language studies and was an active member of the French, Spanish, and Canterbury Clubs.
In 1957, while attending a Sunday evening Bible study, Dana caught the attention of a Georgia Institute of Technology senior named David. A friendship quickly blossomed into a lasting affection. After two years at Agnes Scott and with academic distinction, Dana became engaged to David, who often remarked that had he ever left without seeing her again, he would never have found another like her. Dana and David were married on August 2, 1958, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Culpeper, Virginia. Following their wedding, they made their first home in St. Louis, Missouri, where David was stationed as a Second Lieutenant with the United States Air Force.
Dana had a deep love of language, which she expressed by tutoring students in Spanish and English, translating the Book of Mark from Greek to English, and earning a Journalism degree from Belmont University in 1987. She was a woman of many interests, including painting, photography, gardening, and history. Of all her hobbies, reading was her favorite—especially British mysteries and the works of authors like Agatha Christie, Dick Francis, and Helen MacInnes. Dana’s passion for gardening led her to publish a book titled Simple Southern Gardening, sharing her knowledge and joy with others. She also loved cooking, and her home was the heart of many cherished family dinners.
Dana also had a special fondness for Corgis, whose playful nature and loyal companionship brought her great joy. She was a devoted animal lover for decades and even bred one of her beloved Corgis. Their presence was a constant source of comfort and happiness throughout her life, and her home was always a welcoming place not only for family and friends but also for the pets she so dearly loved.
Dana lived a life rooted in faith, family, and quiet service. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother and great-grandmother, and loyal friend. A lifelong Christian, she worshipped faithfully, finding strength and peace in the prayers and sacraments of the Church. Dana lived her faith quietly but steadfastly – through kindness, grace, and an abiding sense of service to others. Her greatest joy came from caring for her family, celebrating life’s simple blessings, and sharing her faith through both word and deed. Dana will be remembered for her creativity, her intellect, and the deep love she had for her faith and family.
Dana is survived by her devoted husband of 67 years, David; her children, Tracy (Greg) Barton, Tom (Amy) Herbert, Katherine (Casey) Thompson; her grandchildren, Frances (Rob) Wilson, Clay Barton, Allie (Cole) Swayze, Emily (Walker) Palmerton, Abby Grace Herbert; her step-grandchildren, Abby Thompson, Will Thompson, and Harris Thompson; and her great-grandchildren, Wells Wilson and Miriam Wilson, who will forever cherish her memory and example.
In addition to her parents, Dana was preceded in death by her Aunt Nellie Snead Watts, who raised her, and her brothers and sisters, Kathleen Snead Hundley Brandon, Taylor Dallas Hudley, Jr., Floyd Byrd Hundley, Roger Earl Hundley, Peggy Ann Hundley Henderson, and Franklin Delano Hundley.
The family extends their heartfelt thanks for the faithful and compassionate care provided by Debbie Snedagar, the staff at Belmont Village, and Gentiva Hospice. They are deeply grateful for the many prayers, expressions of kindness, and loving support shown during Dana’s illness.
Family and friends are invited to attend and share in remembering a beautiful life well lived.
Graveside services will be held at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Nashville, TN, on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 10:30 am. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/nashville-tn
A celebration of Dana’s life will be held in The Hancock Room at Richland Country Club, Nashville, TN, on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, from 1:00 – 3:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts may be made to Nashville Humane Society, Tunnels to Towers, or a hospice organization or church of your choice, in honor of Dana’s life of faith, service, and love.
For more obituaries, visit https://davidsoncountysource.com/obituaries/
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