Mary Jane McDonald

Mary Jane McDonald, February 8, 1924 - November 5, 2017. Those who were fortunate enough to know Mary Jane McDonald are celebrating her and her life of service to others. She finished her mission on Earth on Sunday, November 5, 2017. She was 93 years old. Mary Jane began her life on February 8, 1924, in Little Rock, Arkansas, the daughter of Ruby Meredith Hayes, of Monticello, Arkansas, and sister of Ruby Ann Casey Bryan, of Little Rock, Arkansas, who both preceded her transition. She joins the love of her life and one and only husband, Donald ("Mac" or "Hot") McDonald from Sheridan, Arkansas. Mary Jane leaves behind one son, Donald McDonald, Jr. (Marie), one daughter, Nancy Gean McDonald (Kim), one grandson, Dax McDonald (Mary), and one great grandson, Higgins Andrew McDonald, all of Little Rock, Arkansas, one surviving niece from her family, Linda Jane Bryan George (David), a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, other family, and friends, who loved her. She loved her family deeply. She always said, "some family you are born into and some you choose". There are many she chose - and many who chose her. Mary Jane grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas and went to Mitchell Elementary and West Side Junior High, before graduating in 1942 from Little Rock Senior High School. She was very athletic and lettered in track. She loved roller skating and bowling. She met Donald "Mac" McDonald and they married on July 25, 1942, in Sheridan, Arkansas. After Mac's service in World War II, they began a family and after his service in the Korean Conflict and Pueblo Crisis, they shared a wonderful life together in Little Rock until his death October 3, 1997. Together, they enjoyed Henderson United Methodist Church, fishing at Harris Brake Lake, countless sporting and other activities with their kids, their kids' friends, roller skating, dancing, bridge, card games, Arkansas Razorback football, horseracing at Oaklawn Park, trips to casinos, Murry's Dinner Playhouse, The Rep, politics, but most of all...Family. Home was at the center of her happiness. She passed away peacefully in her home asleep of "just old age", as she called it. By whatever name someone knew her, Mary Jane or Sissy or Ms. Mac or Momma Mac spent her life helping others. Their home - her home - was the gathering place for family and friends and even strangers for almost 70 years. She loved to cook and said many times "the kitchen is my sanctuary." She was a wonderful homemaker. She always said, "Mac made the living, but I made the living worth making." Anyone who knew her knew that to be true. You might walk in her home one day to find a complete stranger sitting on the couch with her in the kitchen fixing him or her a meal because he or she was hungry. Countless times and countless people she fed, clothed, and helped. She often said that her mission on this Earth was to help the less fortunate...and she did - in quiet and unassuming ways. She loved people and never met a stranger. She lived life to the fullest and was a happy person. She found the good in everyone. When she wasn't at home, you could often find her at Henderson United Methodist Church or a United Methodist Women's function where she served as President at times or a Board Meeting at Little Rock Compassion Center or a Democratic Party function or working as a Supervisor for the Pulaski County Election Commission or working on a political campaign or taking up social issues or sometimes "fighting City Hall" on issues important to her... or simply picking up trash in the neighborhood. She was an activist and advocate for "MY Town", as she called Little Rock. Her beliefs and faith were strong and she was passionate about all of her undertakings. She lived her Christian faith. She was a strong advocate of "equal rights for ALL people". She could be a "Momma Bear" when it came to her kids. A Celebration of Mary Jane's Life will be held at Henderson United Methodist Church (HUMC), 13000 West Baseline Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72210 on Wednesday, November 8, 2017, at 2 p.m. Rev. Britt Skarda and Pastor Melvin Moss will officiate. Charles Stanley will provide the music. Burial will follow at Forest Hills Cemetery at 10200 AR-5, Alexander, Ark. 72002. Family and Friends will gather for visitation at 12:30 p.m. at HUMC prior to the Celebration. Mary Jane often said, "if you are going to give me flowers, please do it while I am still living so that I can enjoy them" - so in lieu of flowers, Mary Jane requested donations to HUMC, Little Rock Compassion Center, or to a charity of your choosing. And she said, "if someone wants to send flowers, please tell them to take them to a nursing home." She was always thinking of others first. The Family wishes to thank the wonderful people at Arkansas Hospice for their help and kindness in her final days - but mostly to extended family Jessie B. Drew Leonard, Carolyn Thomas, and Arthur Barnes - and to her friends and compassionate caregivers Aretha Barnes, Monica Cooper, Triena Stuart, Pam Watkins, and others who helped her during her journey home. An online guestbook is available at www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.