Carol "Danette" Hartsock

Danette Hartsock of Gainesville, Florida and formerly Gallatin, Tennessee, age 57, went home to be with Jesus on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 surrounded by loved ones. She was born on March 1, 1968 to Norma F. Carroll Hartsock and Kenneth J. Hartsock Sr. Danette grew up in Tennessee and received her formal education from The Tennessee School for the Blind, graduating in 1986. She was continually involved with the school’s alumni throughout her life. She attended Valencia Community College where she specialized in early childhood development.

Danette’s faith in Jesus Christ was the center of her life, and she shared his love in everything she did and with everyone she encountered. Always smiling, Danette was a generous giver; a selfless friend; a prayer warrior; a constant encourager; and a loving sister, daughter, and aunt. Her kindness, sweetness, humor, and love were evident to all those around her. She was deeply devoted to and involved in her community at Park Meadows Health and Rehabilitation Center, where she was president of the residents council and the keeper of song books for the Bible study group there. Danette also created and led the Welcome Wagon at Park Meadows, welcoming all new residents, helping them get involved with activities and church services, and facilitating new friendships. She loved playing board games, crafting, playing video games on a Wii, and making jewelry. The fruits of her labor, her generosity, and her encouragement were enjoyed by all at Park Meadows, where she handed out hundreds of Bible verse bracelets to residents and staff. Her legacy will live on not only in the hearts of her friends and family, but also with the Danette Project, a card ministry providing pen pals to nursing home residents in need of friendship and connection.

She is preceded in death by her father, Ken J. Hartsock Sr.; grandparents, Arch and Marion Hartsock and Benjamin and Nellie H. Carroll

She is survived by her mother, Norma F. Choate; her stepfather, B. Mac Choate; her brother, Ken J. Hartsock II (Ginger); her aunts, Nancy Hartsock and Ann Kehrberg; her stepsisters, Monica Summers (Jeff) and Lisa Talley; her nieces Taygen Morgan (William), Meryt Hartsock, and Katie McKenzie (Josh); her nephews, Henry Summers and Ethan Talley (Amber); her best friends, Mike and Debbie Cousino and Stephanie Wiles.

A celebration of Danette’s life will be held at Victory Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee as well as Park Meadows Health and Rehabilitation Center in Gainesville, Florida at a later date.

Danette had a giving spirit and hoped to help any others affected by ALS. In lieu of flowers, Danette would like donations to be made in her memory to the ALS Association: als.org/donate