Dayna Hulme

Dayna Avery Hulme

January 22, 1964 – January 5, 2024

Nashville, TN

Dayna passed away at the age of 59 on January 5, 2024. Dayna was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and raised in Nashville. She is survived by her husband Tom of 37 years and her daughters Courtney and Alexandra, all residing in Nashville. Additionally, she is survived by her mother, Nancy McLean of Nashville, and her brother, David Avery of Maryville, Tennessee. She is predeceased by her father, Gorman Avery, of Camden, Tennessee, stepfather, Thurman McLean, of Trenton, Tennessee, and grandparents Mr. & Mrs. James Reasons of Alamo, Tennessee, and Mr. & Mrs. Troy Avery of Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Dayna was a passionate student who attended Franklin Road Academy, Sweet Briar College, and Nashville School of Law. Following a successful legal career working for the State of Tennessee, HCA, and Community Health Services, she pivoted her focus to raising her two beautiful daughters and paying it forward to share her talents, skills, and passion.

Dayna dedicated her time as a volunteer for many charitable causes. She chaired the FRA Fund-Raising Event (Stars & Guitars, formally, Pizazz) as well as Sweet Briar’s Alumnae and Recruiting Events in middle Tennessee. She was also a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) who provided legal services for abused and neglected children in foster care. Additionally, she was a member of Better Decisions, where she acted as a mentor to women in the Tennessee Prison for Women, providing them with support and skills they needed to have more control over their decisions, actions, and futures. Finally, she enjoyed volunteering at Meals on Wheels and St. Luke’s Community House.

Dayna was a gourmet cook and took time to ensure the taste, as well as the presentation, were perfect. She enjoyed hosting book clubs, bible studies, and holiday parties at her home, where no detail was missed. She loved gift-giving as much as cooking and hosting, always making someone’s day by giving them a “happy.” Many of the teachers who taught Courtney and Alexandra would look forward to the annual teacher’s day because they knew Dayna would meticulously prepare a special treat.

She also loved traveling whenever she got the chance. Her favorite place to visit was Portofino, Italy.

Dayna had a keen eye for fashion and never left the house without looking her best no matter where she was going. Dayna will be remembered for being as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside.

Her legacy will include two things. First, she will be missed for being a loving wife, daughter, and sister, a volunteer who carried for the less fortunate, and a friend to so, so many people.

Second, for her commitment to raising two kind, sophisticated daughters and guiding them to live a life based on Christian values and integrity.

All services will be held at Woodmont Christian Church in Nashville. There will be a visitation from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 11 as well as a visitation from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. on Friday, January 12. A service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 12.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made in Dayna’s honor to Franklin Road Academy.