JOSEPH HARRY MCDONALD

MCDONALD, Bro. Joseph Harry, affectionately known as “Joe”, was born October 2, 1949, in Luverne, Alabama. He was the son of the late Will Bennie and the late Elizabeth Salter McDonald. He departed this life February 13, 2009. Funeral services were held in the sanctuary of Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Phenix City, Alabama, February 18, 2009, at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor Noble D. Williams officiating. Interment followed at Lakeview Memory Gardens in Phenix City, Alabama, with Taylor Funeral Home, Inc., directing.

Bro. McDonald committed his life to Christ at an early age and joined the Star Hope Baptist Church in Luverne, Alabama. When he moved to Columbus, Georgia, Joe met and married Liria Jones in October, 1981. After their marriage, Joe joined the Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church in Phenix City, Alabama.

Joe was a student in the first desegregated class at Luverne High School in Luverne, Alabama. He graduated from Luverne High and later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Troy State University.

Bro. McDonald was preceded in death by his loving wife, Liria, in 2004. Surviving his departure with cherished memories are his sister, Dr. Merrian Douglass (Franklin) of Columbus, Georgia, and brother, Bennie F. McDonald (Claudy) of Luverne, Alabama. Joe also leaves behind four sisters-in-law, Chloe Weeks of Phenix City, Alabama, Vicky Jones of Columbus, Georgia, Sarah Lockhart (Johnnie) of Columbus, Georgia, and Georgetta Jones of Phenix City, Alabama; one brother-in-law, Johnnie Jones (Sarah) of Fairbanks, Alaska; eleven nephews; six nieces; seven great- nephews; eight great- nieces and two loving and caring neighbors, Mrs. Beulah Arnold and family, and Mrs. Barbara Brantley and family, as well as a host of other relatives and friends.