Marjorie Bennett McDonald, 88, of Valdosta, GA, passed away on Saturday June 20, 2026. She was born on October 14, 1937 in Lenox, GA to the late Eleanor Bethene Castleberry Bennett and George Wiley “GW” Bennett.

Mrs. McDonald was part of the Valdosta High School Class of 1955. She was a real athlete and Star Point Guard on the VHS ladies Basketball team. Growing up, she enjoyed singing and going to chorus after school at the First United Methodist church of Valdosta (even though she wasn’t a member there).

After graduation, she enjoyed working as a switch board operator for Southern Bell. She knew most of the locals and really enjoyed ‘connecting’ their calls.

As a young lady, Marjorie Nell Bennett was a member of Lee Street Baptist Church where she and Ernest first met. They were married there and soon after moved to Austin, Texas where her husband was stationed at Bergstrom Airforce base during his military service.

In 1962 they brought their young family back to Valdosta. Ernest went to work with McDonald Nurseries where Marjorie not only served as bookkeeper, but also lovingly cared for her in-laws (Ernest J. and Virginia McDonald), her husband, her children and so many other extended family members and friends. The family business allowed her to always be present for her children with all of their school, band, church, sports, and club activities.

They were faithful members of Lee Street Baptist Church where Marjorie taught and nurtured her 2nd grade Sunday School Class for many years. Marjorie was committed to church attendance for her family and instilled the importance of Salvation and a personal walk with the Lord everyday.

She was an member of the Wymodausis Women’s Club and because of her exceptional motherhood and love, her family was recognized and selected to represent the local club at the state level as “The Family of the Year” in the 1980’s.

Marjorie loved football and baseball including her Valdosta Wildcats, Georgia Bulldogs, Redcoat Band, and her Atlanta Braves. She was also very proud to be the ‘Mom’ of the Valdosta Marchin’ Cats’ Flag Corps for over 12 years, making flags, ordering uniforms, chaperoning, and attending football games and band competitions faithfully.

With her outgoing personality, beautiful smile and her genuine desire to work and help others, she decided to try to work outside the home as the children got older. She was hired immediately as the main switchboard operator for First State Bank and Trust. She really enjoyed her job, but after only a few years, she missed her time with her children and family more.

In 1970 Marjorie, Ernest and their family of now six children began vacationing at St George Island where she absolutely loved the family being almost the only people on the beach. This started a tradition which led to generations of her family vacationing there, connecting with each other, and always worshiping wherever they went. Marjorie was even the St George Island Chili Cook-Off Winner the first year they participated! She was one of the Charter Members of the First Baptist Church of St George Island where the family began worshiping under Palm fronds and sitting on board planks at the waters’ edge in the “no wall” church shack on the beach. Even recently She smiled as she told others they were still members of more than one church. She also loved and felt a strong connection with friends and family at Crossroads Baptist Church in Valdosta.

A woman dedicated to her faith and serving others, particularly family and church, Mrs. McDonald had the ability to meet and befriend anyone she met. She was also a member of and attended New Bethel Baptist Church at Cat Creek where she and Ernest lived on the Old McDonald Family Farm.

Mrs. McDonald is survived by her husband of nearly 70 years, Ernest Murphy McDonald, Sr. of Valdosta; her children, Sarah Bethene “Beth” McDonald Northcutt of Valdosta, Sandra Marjorie “Sandy” Estes of Lake Park, Susan Kay McDonald (David) Morgan, Ernest Murphy “Buddy” McDonald, Jr., and Carol Lynn McDonald, all of Valdosta;

She is also survived by her grandchildren whom she dearly loved: Justin Lee (Kendall) Northcutt, Mark Alan (Ansley) Northcutt, Ryan Carlton (Sara) Edmondson, Sarah Marjorie Edmondson (Dusty) Lambert, Alexander McDonald (Ali) White, Christopher (Ashley) Morgan, Carter Morgan, Ernest James (Emilie) McDonald, Dorothy Marie McDonald (Gene) Burrus, Alden Virginia McDonald (Parker) Posey, Harrison Vaughn Irby; 23 incredible great-grandchildren EACH of whom held a very precious place in her heart; son-in-law Vaughn (Beth) Irby; two sisters Louise Bennett Leonetti and LaVerne Bennett Jackson; sister-in-law Robin Bennett; dearly loved Denise Luke, cousins, nieces, nephews and many other extended family and lifelong friends.

She was preceded in death by her: parents; daughter, Linda Bennett McDonald Irby; granddaughter, Margaret Ann White; son-in-law, Charles “Steve” Estes; siblings, Mary Helen (Leslie) Davis, G. Norman Bennett, and Carolyn Bennett (Huey) Manges; sister-in-law, Mary Virginia McDonald (Claude) Moore, Anne “Bitsy” McDonald Cooper; brother-in-law, Fred Lochland McDonald.

Mrs. McDonald had so much love and respect for ALL her Doctors, Nurses, Technicians and Caregivers. She was constantly reminding them of how much she appreciated their time because she knew they had so many other patients and responsibilities. Marjorie was such a kind and hardworking patient.

Her husband, our Daddy, said it best when he remarked, … In over 90 years, he’s never known anyone who wanted or needed so little for herself, But who GAVE so much to others! ❤️

The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 25 at the Carson McLane Funeral Home from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

The funeral service for Mrs. McDonald will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026, in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home, Dr. Clyde Stokes officiating. Burial will follow at the New Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to :

The Mailbox Club

Home - mailboxclub.org (https://mailboxclub.org/)

or

First Baptist Church of St. George Island Home | First Baptist Church St George Island (https://www.fbcsgi.org/)

Condolences may be shared online at www.mclanecares.com