Mayre “Betty” McDonald, age 85, passed away on April 24, 2021 before God and her loving family. This
obituary is written by her daughters, so we refer to her as Mom going forward.
The Lord was good to Mom and blessed her with a devoted husband, Jim (married 65+ years); four daughters, Vickie McDonald, Lisa Fortune, Lori Boynton (Randy) and Mendy Thompson; four grandchildren, David Bright, Alexandra Batres, Jeffrey Delgado, and Taylor Fortune; five great-grandchildren, Graham, Erick, Angelina, Jeffrey and Reagan; and three dear siblings, Jerry Baucom (Jackie), Beegie Creed (Steve) and Mike Baucom (Bonnie). She is preceded in death by her loving parents, Ruby (Betsy my love) and Judge Baucom. Mom loved everyone with her whole heart.
Mom was born and raised in Hamlet, NC. As a young adult, she moved to Jacksonville, FL, where she met and married our father. For over 40 years, they owned and operated a successful business, McDonald Tool and Machine Company, Inc. In 1965, they purchased a home on the Arlington River and lived there ever since. Her backyard was her favorite place in the world.
Mom’s greatest joy was to have family and friends over to the house for a meal. She loved to cook (creator of Eggs Betty). She was a voracious reader (and one-time book editor). She was a happy gardener (vegetables and flowers). She was an expert seamstress. She was an animal lover (cats being her favorite). She was a bargain-hunter (certified, card-carrying). She was a Scotswoman (founding member of the St. Andrews Society in Jacksonville, FL). She was smart and creative (inspired, self-taught and motivated). She was a traveler (Scotland, the Caribbean, state and national parks). She was an athlete (the second-oldest female athlete to complete the Gate River Run 15K in 2016). She was Granny to everyone. She was all that and so much more. She was sweet and kind and we all miss her, but we are joyful that she is Home with God and dancing with Jesus on this beautiful spring morning.
Mom (Granny), we love you, and she would say “and I love you.“
We are celebrating Mom’s life on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 10:00 am at Riverside Avenue Christian Church. Due to COVID restrictions, masks are required and only 55 folks can attend. Please contact the family if you are interested in attending the service. Mom will be interred in the Jacksonville National Cemetery in Jacksonville, FL.
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