Couple killed in tornado found side-by-side on their mattress

MT. JULIET, Tenn. (WTVF) — Friends and community members are remembering Jim and Donna Eaton, who were killed during Tuesday morning's tornado.

The Eaton’s Mt. Juliet home was flatted by the storm. The two, who had been married for 58 years, were found side-by-side on their mattress.

The couple were very involved at First Baptist Church Mt. Juliet, where they had been members for more than 40 years. The church’s pastor said the Eatons were kind, thoughtful and embodied the best of the church.

“All of us are devastated by their sudden passing,” pastor Phillip Dunn said. “Most of the folks that have been around Mt. Juliet for a long time loved and respected the Eatons.”

Dunn said he was surveying damage to the church building when he heard nobody was able to reach the couple.

“When we heard we couldn’t get in touch with them, we were always prepared in that moment for the worst, but you don’t want to believe that’s true,” Dunn said. He added that when church members found out about the Eatons’ death, many burst into tears.

The couple’s grandson told NewsChannel 5 the family is spending time together over the next couple of days.