Cecil McDonald

Cecil McDonald, Jr. passed away on July 8, 2016, at the age of 88, following a lengthy illness of reoccurring strokes. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 11, 2016 at Blair-Stubbs Chapel with Rev. Tracy Sims officiating. Interment will follow in the Shiloh Cemetery with Holloway Martin, Bill Hughes, Elmer Beene, Terry Lynn McDonald, Rick Sadler, Billie Gene "Scooter" McDonald serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be James Shivers, Grady Masters and Arlie Vickery. Visitation with the family will be 4-6 p.m., Sunday, at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home. Cecil was born on October 27, 1927 in Tehuacana Valley to Cecil McDonald, Sr. and Susie Black McDonald. He was a lifelong resident of the Shiloh, Mexia and Groesbeck areas, having moved away to Sweeney for only a brief period of time. Cecil was the oldest son in the family. He attended school in Shiloh but had to quit at an early age to help his mother take over the farm after his dad broke his back. Cecil met Wanda Lee Kennedy, in 1947, at Fort Parker and they married on November 8. 1947 in Shiloh. This was the beginning of a long, loving marriage of devotion. They were true sweethearts for over 68 years, sticking to the words recited during their wedding vows. Cecil was a hardworking and responsible man. He started his adult working career in the oil field in Sweeney, Texas, shortly after his marriage to Wanda. Yearning for home, they returned to Shiloh and purchased a farm. He ran a successful farming business raising corn, cotton, cattle and hogs. During this time, they were blessed with the birth of their only child, Bobby Dean in 1952. Around 1960, Cecil moved his family to Mexia and purchased a laundromat. For the next 17 years, they owned multiple laundries and bought and sold land and cattle. He worked long, hard hours on a daily basis but always managed to make it a family affair – working together and laughing together. He was a prankster and even though he was always busy, he managed to visit with his customers and entertain the kids. He truly formed a relationship with his customers. He was an honest man and treated everyone fairly. He lived by the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. His word was as good as gold…if Cecil McDonald told you he would do something, it would be done. Cecil loved the farm. He loved to drive his tractor and spent many hours on it. Cecil always stocked his tanks with catfish and bass. Although he didn’t like to fish, he enjoyed watching his family catch them. Cecil was a member of the Woodmen of the World, served on the Shiloh School Board and served as a Board member for the Shiloh Water Supply. Cecil truly loved the Lord; he was a member of the Central Baptist Church of Thornton. He was respected by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Billie Gene McDonald, Sr.; and sister, Lizzie Mae Campbell. He is survived by his loving, devoted wife, Wanda Lee; son, Bobby McDonald and wife, Becky; two grandchildren, Jeffrey McDonald and Ginger McDonald Funk and husband, Brad; four great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Kimbrey, Emery and Ellis; sister, Patsy Lock of Beaumont; and a number of nieces and nephews. A special thank you is given to three wonderful caregivers, Debra Brown, Sharlene Brown and Marlene Morrison and, Providence Hospice and Windsor Healthcare. With the help of these people and the diligence of his wife, Wanda Lee, his life was made more comfortable during his lengthy illness. Memorials may be made to the Central Baptist Church in Thornton; Providence Hospice or Shiloh Cemetery Association .