Tributes

Barbara Carolyn Mills McDonald (Bobbie to her family and friends) passed away peacefully on Christmas Eve, 2015, surrounded by her loving family. Bobbie was born May 11, 1928, to John Pinkney Mills and Mattie York Mills and was a lifelong Charlotte resident. She was the youngest of four sisters whose childhood was shaped by their mother’s strength of spirit and unconditional love. From the difficult years of youth during the Great Depression, through the 20th C. and to the present, the four girls and their mother let these steadfast principles guide their family. She was married to George Terry (Mac) McDonald, Sr. for 65 years, who predeceased her in 2013. She was also predeceased by sisters Margaret Schuette and Shirley Anne Mills. She is survived by her son, George Terry McDonald, Jr. and daughter, Susan McDonald Hughes and three grandsons: Jason Niell and wife Katie, Clay Niell, and Sam McDonald and great-granddaughter, Charlotte (Charli) Niell, as well as her sister, Betty Mills Phillips. The McDonalds were committed members of Park Road Baptist Church which they joined in its infancy in 1954. Both Bobbie and Mac were active at Carmel Country Club, and were avid golfers. They loved to travel and enjoyed many trips together both domestic and abroad. Bobbie was a proud homemaker for the majority of her life. Bobbie’s support for her husband and his business and charitable activities and for her children’s and grandchildren’s endeavors was her life mission. She was the engine that drove the family. Her inexhaustible love and care leaves a void that can only be filled by energies and efforts in kind. Always seeking the most out of life, Bobbie went back to work as a paralegal after her children were grown. This work was very fulfilling to her and she was proud to make a difference. Bobbie’s skills were many and varied. She was also an excellent and accomplished speech writer as exemplified in almost every public communication of Mac’s long career in business and community. She volunteered in public schools and at Church as a Sunday school teacher. A Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Barbara McDonald will be held at Park Road Baptist Church, 3900 Park Road in Charlotte, NC at 11:00 am on Tuesday, December 29, 2015. A reception and visitation will be held at the church following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Park Road Baptist Church at 3900 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209; Serenity Church of Charlotte, 3110 Chaucer Dr, Charlotte, NC 28210 or Hospice of Union County 700 W. Roosevelt Blvd, Monroe, NC 28110.

Tributes

Barbara 'Bobbie' Mills McDonald

May 11, 1928 - December 24, 2015