Gerald McDonald

Gerald McDonald “Mac”, age 74, passed away at his home in Barnwell on April 28, 2021 after a brief battle with cancer.  Gerald was born in August 12, 1946 to Marcus and Hazel McDonald.  Gerald joined the United States Army at the age of 18, where he served in the 125^th Signal Battalion attached to the Third Army.  He served as a lineman and was a member of the Honor Guard.  In 1966 Gerald served in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1968. Gerald took his army training and applied it to his career in the telecommunications industry where he worked for several telephone companies. He finally settled into a management role with BellSouth with whom he would later retire.

After “retirement”, Gerald started McDonald Driver Training where he taught countless members of the community to drive for over 19 years. Gerald served on numerous committees in the Aiken and Barnwell areas and was a member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. He was an avid golfer and fierce competitor. He enjoyed fishing and other activities with his buddies. His greatest joy and accomplishment however, was his family. They always came first and wanted for nothing. Gerald lived a great life and never met a stranger.  He was a friend to all and will be missed by those who had the pleasure of knowing of him. The world could use more men like Mac. Gerald was known for being a memorable storyteller; when his friends and family remember him in the years to come we will be able to smile and laugh about Gerald telling his unique stories.

Survivors include his loving wife of 44 years, Faye Padgett McDonald,  his children, Delena  Laird, Carrie Ann McDonald, Daniel Laird, Carla Tate, Wes (Carrie) McDonald, grandchildren, Blake Laird (Nichole), Andrew McDonald, Thomas Tate, Savannah Tate, Dallas Weathersbee, Micaela McDonald and Margot McDonald, a number of great grandchildren, his brother, James Sims (Mary Ann), and a sister-in-law, Ramona Sims and his four-legged baby Snazzy.

 Gerald is predeceased by his parents, Marcus and Hazel McDonald and a brother, Dale Sims.

Funeral services will be held at four o’clock p.m., Friday, April 30, 2021 in the Folk Funeral Home Chapel, Williston with Chaplain Dexter Lambert officiating; burial will follow in the Blackville Cemetery with U.S. Army Military Honors Accorded. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Friday. Due to the current pandemic and the CDC regulations, social distancing and other guidelines will be in place; facemasks are requested. The service will be live-streamed on our Official Folk Funeral Home - Live Stream Facebook page for those unable to attend.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Disabled American Veterans (www.dav.org)

The family would like to thank Trinity Hospice and all healthcare professionals who cared for Gerald throughout his illness.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Gerald McDonald, please visit our Tree Store.