Ms. Donnie Earle McDonald of 1317 Madison Street, Americus, Georgia died Saturday, January 22, 2022 at her residence.

The graveside funeral service will be held Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Staley Memorial Gardens in Americus, Georgia.  Everyone in attendance is asked to please wear a mask and to practice social distancing.

Independent, dignified, forthright, courageous, charitable and God-loving are all words that describe Donnie Earle McDonald.  On January 22, 2022, Donnie cast aside bingo, her fishing pole, her gardening trowel and her Wheel of Fortune program, and embraced her eternal journey.

Donnie Earle McDonald was born on July 09, 1941 in Americus, Georgia the only child to the matrimony of the late Maceo McDonald, Sr. and the late Alvesta Wilson McDonald Miles.

Raised in a Christian home, Donnie joined Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church in Americus, Georgia at an early age.  She loved being a trustee, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School & distributing food bank resources.  Donnie Earle McDonald, an all-star basketball player, was educated in the schools of Sumter County, Georgia.  She graduated Valedictorian of the Class of 1959 from Sumter High School in Americus, Georgia.  She also followed in her mother's footsteps by becoming a member of the Daughters of the Elks.

Always community minded and ready to fight for equality, Donnie Earle McDonald was one of the first to integrate Manhattan Shirt Company, in Americus, Georgia with the  support of the local civil rights leaders.  It was a daunting task, but young Donnie never backed down even as they played, Hit the Road Jack, over the intercom system every morning as she and her fellow integrators entered the building. Donnie was a courageous woman and it's no wonder she traveled over 50 miles every day for 32 years to the Warner Robins Air Force Base in Warner  Robins, Georgia where she would retire as an electronics mechanic with many accolades.  After retirement, Donnie followed another of her passions into working with at-risk youths at the Crossroads Academy in  Americus, Georgia.  Donnie Earle McDonald was a continuous and constant figure in her multiple, sometimes simultaneous ventures. Always community focused, she also retired from the Koinonia Farm in Americus, Georgia after five years, worked for the Georgia Census Bureau and as a Poll Official during the elections.  Unwavering in her commitment, Donnie served as bailiff for the Judicial System of the City of Americus, Georgia for 18 years until her health would cause her to hang up her badge.

Donnie Earle McDonald loved her blended family.  In addition to her parents, Donnie was preceded in death by her beloved siblings, Mary Clifford Crawford, Shedrick "Punchie" McDonald, Jarvis McDonald, Calvin McDonald, Daniel Turner and Samuel Turner.

Donnie Earle McDonald led an extraordinary life and leaves her legacy of resolution, love and resilience to her beloved, devoted, and only child, Donnell (Barbara) McDonald of Charleston, South Carolina; her grandchildren, Shikee (Miriam) McDonald of Albany, Georgia; Brittany Blackmon of Leesburg, Georgia; her great-grandchildren, Gianna Olivia McDonald of Albany, Georgia; Ethan Ingram; Aidan Ingram, both of Leesburg, Georgia; her siblings, Linda Turner of Hampton, Georgia; Maceo McDonald, Jr. of Jonesboro,   Georgia; Manuel Turner of Atlanta, Georgia; Lee Frances Porter of Ontario, California; Lucious Miles of Hartford, Connecticut; her aunt, Dorothy Wilson of Lumpkin, Georgia; her cousins; Carolyn (Bruce) Baldwin of Newnan, Georgia; Darrell Wilson; Kel  Wilson, both of Lumpkin, Georgia; Mary Singleton of Americus, Georgia; her devoted assistants, Rosa Hicks, Chaunda Calloway, Anna Woods, and Latravius Hayes, all of Americus, Georgia; her faithful chihuahua, Coco; Barnum Heights neighbors; Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church family; Class of 1959; the Harris family; Eva Jewel Mitchell;  Christine Wade; Evelyn Raines; Charlie Mae Hill, Artis (Sarah) Johnson, Sr. and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and family, including Dr. Brooks Robinson.