Mae West McDonald

Mae W. Holton McDonald, daughter of the late Leroy Williams Sr. and Connie Stokes Williams was born on April 15, 1937 in Ayden North Carolina. She received a high school diploma from South Ayden High School. She later moved to Baltimore and graduated from BCCC with a degree in Nursing.Affectionately known as Mac, she was a loyal employee of Johns Hopkins Hospital for 33 years as a registered nurse until her health began to fail.She was married to the late Telemachous Holton and from this union Cynthia Caprice Holton was born, however, both preceded her in death. She later united in matrimony to James “Jimmy” McDonald for many years until his death.Mae gave her life to Christ at Zion Chapel F.W.B. in Ayden North Carolina. She later rededicated her life to Christ at Mount Olivet Christian Disciple Church in 1981 under the Pastoralship of the late Dr. George W. Jones.Mae was ordained as a deaconess on April 24, 1988. She was a member of the Ensemble Senior and Gospel Choirs. Deaconess McDonald served as an Usher, President of the Senior Choir for several years and chairperson of Christian Women’s Fellowship. Deaconess McDonald later became one of the founding members of the Greater Bethesda Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Romero B. Nicks. Her Pastor and church members were held dear to her heart. She faithfully served as deaconess and chairperson of the Pastor’s aid until her health began to decline. She sang on the sanctuary choir and attended Tuesday night Bible Study and prayer meeting as long as her health permitted. With limited mobility she donated as much time as possible to vacation bible school and any other activity at church.Lovingly known as MáMae, GranMá, Aunt Mae and just Mae to her family. God was her first love and her family was second. She loved going to family reunions, holiday gatherings and all glorious occasions. Some of her favorite past times were eating, cooking, shopping and loved to call her family and talk on the phone until the early morning hours, especially with her brother, Buddy, Mae loved to say “ I do not want no rocks to cry out for me.”She leaves to cherish her memories a grandson, Antonio Savoy Garris of Macon, GA, a granddaughter, Tajema Nayree Holton Chappel of Baltimore, MD; two step daughters, Cherlyn McDonald of Palm Dale, CA, Marilyn McDonald of Northridge, CA; mother-in-law, Gardenia Williams of Baltimore MD, Carolyn Sellers of Summit, NJ, Gladys Avery of Winston-Salem NC, Veronica Middlebrook, Diane quick and Penny Chapman of High Point, NC; one brother-in-law, Donald Chapman of High Point, NC; four aunts, Mollie Hall, Ethel Hamilton of Lake View, NC, Thurla Henderson of Carthridge, NC and Maria Balark of Baltimore, MD; one uncle, Carl Balark of Baltimore, MD; one god-son, Anthony Williams of Baltimore, MD, one son-in-law, Ned Lee Garris of Ayden, NC; seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A dear and special friend Miss Melinee “Big Ma” Yerrell. She had one sister, Jessa Ruth Woods and five brothers, Jasper, Edward, Leroy, Jr. James Allen and Lovonza Williams precede her in death.

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Mae West McDonald

April 15, 1937 - May 1, 2006