Marcella Petree Darnell, age 89 passed away Thursday, February 12, 2026 peacefully at her home on the hill in Wartburg, Tennessee. She was born July 23, 1936 in Union County, Tennessee. She moved to Wartburg at a very young age where she graduated from Wartburg Central High School and met her future husband Clyde Darnell formerly from Greeneville, Tennessee. She was a member of the Wartburg First Baptist Church and many other community focused organizations. Clyde and Marcella moved from Greeneville, TN to Wartburg, TN in 1965 where shortly after they opened Darnell Food Market in 1966.

Marcella enjoyed her family and friends and her work throughout her lifetime. She loved to watch birds, read, and spend time with her family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband Clyde E. Darnell, parents, Ed and Della Petree, siblings Leonard Petree, Geneva Newberry, Mary Hendrickson, Ella May Newberry, and James Petree.

Left to cherish her memory is her children, Gary (Karen) Darnell, Debi Darnell Hamby. Grandchildren Nick (Stacy) Heidle; Joshua (Lindsay) Darnell, Daphnie Darnell, Michelle (Damon) Shadden, and Jennifer (Brad) Langley. Great Grandchildren, Jasmine (Dameion) Ranta, McKenzie (Nathan) Leffew, McKayla, Maddison and Morgane Shadden, Jaelynn Whaley, and Parker Heidle. One Great Great Grandchild Kambree Ranta; one sister, Oma Jean Raines and husband Alan, of North Carolina, one brother Robert Petree of Wartburg, Tennessee, and one sister-in-law Barbara Petree of Alabama.

The family will receive friends Monday, February 16 from 4:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. at Schubert Funeral Home, in Wartburg. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 17 starting at 11:00 a.m. at Schubert’s Funeral Home followed by the graveside service with Pastor Matthew Ward of Wartburg First Baptist Church and Pastor Doug White from Knoxville, Tennessee officiating. Interment will follow in the Wartburg City Cemetery of Morgan County, Tennessee.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to Wartburg First Baptist Church building fund or SHOC (Survivors Helping Others Cope) c/o Debbie Taylor 280 Island Ford Road Lancing, Tennessee 37770.

Schubert Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Marcella Petree Darnell