Willie Eugene McDonald, 92, of Cleveland, Tennessee, died on Thursday, October 27, 2016.
Dot and Gene met at Brown Shoe Company in Piggott, Arkansas and within a year married in Flint Michigan after Gene was employed with General Motors.Company. Gene worked as a skilled tradesman for 25 years in Flint, where he and Dot raised their family of three children.
Gene and Dot retired to their farm in Rector, Arkansas which became a favorite place to visit for family and friends until 1997. The farm was Gene’s’ pride and joy and he raised acres of the best strawberries, as well as pine trees and soybeans. Dad ventured into some livestock raising with Sam the ram, Buster the bull and pet catfish in the stocked ponds.
In 1997 Gene and Dortha moved to Cleveland to be near their children and grandchildren. Gene shared many woodworking projects with family and friends over the years and these gifts are very much treasured.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dortha Jean Faulk McDonald; children, Gary McDonald (June) and Sharon K.Bass (Mike); grandchildren, Kirsten J. Kapastay (John) Rome, GA, Adam C.McDonald Cleveland, Kathryn J.Keel Chattanooga, Joseph M. Keel (Jen) Cleveland great - granddaughters, Anna Kapastay and Margaret Kapastay, Rome, GA; one sister, Neta Lutes; sister-in-law,, Kathleen McDonald, Flint, Michigan; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Amos and Stellar McDonald; brothers and sister, Ray McDonald (Kathleen) , Woodrow McDonald (Veda), Nora Kinder (Oscar); parents-in-law, J. Harry Faulk and Evelyn P. Faulk.
Friends and family of the McDonald family are invited for celebration and visitation on Sunday Oct.30 from 12-3 p.m at Companion Funeral Home, Georgetown Rd. A memorial service led by Colby Goins will be held at 3 p.m followed by burial at Tasso United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Companion Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.