Donita Alford Tannenbaum

Donita Alford Tannenbaum, who lived a life filled with devotion, nurturing dedication and love of family, passed away June 20, 2024 from a previous illness at Haven Hospice, slightly more than two years after the death of her husband of 50 years, Doug Tannenbaum.

Donita was born April 12, 1953 to John Lee and Virginia Perry Alford. With her older brother, John Perry, she grew up on the family farm in Live Oak, Florida. As a fifth generation Floridian, she and her family grew tobacco and muscadine grapes among other crops. This environment nurtured her independent spirit, her abiding love of North Florida life and the importance of family.

As a youth, Donita was involved in 4-H where she received numerous awards including the prestigious National 4-H Excellence in Service Award. While attending Suwannee High School, she was a member of the cross-country track team and the Suwannee Bulldog High School Marching Band.

Fostering her independence streak, Donita was accepted into the early admissions program at Lake City Community College later transferring to the University of Florida entering UF’s Education program, following in her mother’s footsteps. Donita soon realized a career in education was not her passion and enrolled in the burgeoning nursing program at Lake City Community College. This fortuitous decision was the dawning of her life’s work in the service of others.

Donita was immensely talented and creative, from painting to being an accomplished classical pianist. However, her grandchildren will unanimously say her greatest talent was her cooking. She made countless memories with her family in the kitchen, baking and singing to oldies playing on the record player. The favorite among family and friends was her famous Sour Cream Pound Cake where children and adults alike waited impatiently for the left-over batter and then during the long 75 minutes until it emerged from the oven.

Taking a break from healthcare, Donita and Doug bought Fleets Department Store in Live Oak which she managed for many years. But the call of nursing was too strong. She became Administrative Director of Suwannee Healthcare where she won numerous national awards over her 11 years tenure. She then went on to a new challenge to build Cross City Rehab from the ground up until retirement.

Donita served her communities as a mentor in Take Stock in Children, a member of the Rotary Club of Cross City, FL and on the boards Hospice Haven and the Florida Sheriff Youth Ranch.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Lee Alford and Virginia Perry Alford and her beloved husband, Douglas Philip Tannenbaum. She is survived by her son David Hoffman Tannenbaum and his fiancée Linda Dowling, daughter Deborah Alford Tannenbaum, and brother John Perry Alford and his wife, Rebecca; her beloved grandchildren Aliyah, Zachary and Alexander Tannenbaum; her sisters-in-law Susan and Barbara Tannenbaum and brother-in-law, Wick Rowland; and her niece Lola Epstein and nephews Jesse and Matthew Alford.

There will be a reception at the Country Club of Lake City from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 27th, 2024. The Family asks in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Haven Hospice Foundation.