One of Knoxville’s best-known writers has died. Jeanne Louise Pratts McDonald, 84, passed away at home on June 28. She is survived by her children and their families and husband Fred Brown, retired writer for the News Sentinel.
Ms. McDonald was inducted into the East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame in 2007 and won the Tennessee Arts Commission/Alex Haley Fiction Fellowship in addition to many other awards and prizes. She was awarded the Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award in 2009 in New York City.
After marrying in 1996, McDonald and Brown wrote two books: “Growing Up Southern” (1998) and “The Serpent Handlers: Three Families and Their Faith” (2000). Her book-length novel, “Water Dreams,” was published by University Press of Mississippi in 2003. A celebration of her life will take place at a later date and details will be announced via social media and email. Additional obituary details here.