Russell Thomas McDonald, age 90, died at Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House in Rock Hill, South Carolina on August 7, 2025. The Celebration of Life service will be held on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at Greene Funeral Home, Northwest Chapel, 2133 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732 at 1:00 pm followed by Visitation. The Rev. Dr. Eddie Usher and Rev. Robin Griffeth will be officiating. Graveside service and inurnment will be at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, 250 Hudlow Road, Forest City, NC, on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 11:30 am.
Mr. McDonald was born on September 15, 1934 in Spindale, NC to the late Vivian Nanney and Kenneth Tanner McDonald. His early education was in Spindale and Forest City, NC. He held two degrees from Appalachian State University and a degree from the University of South Carolina. He served as a cryptographer in the US Army for two years with a tour of duty in Orleans, France, and an additional 4 years in the US Army Reserve in Gastonia, NC. He worked for A & P Food Stores part time and later as assistant manager. He was an educator for 31 years. He taught math in public schools in Rockingham, NC and Shelby, NC. He was principal at Chesterfield High School, Chesterfield, SC; Woodruff Junior High School, Woodruff, SC; and Northwestern High School, Rock Hill, SC. He also served as Assistant Superintendent for Operations, Rock Hill School District 3. After retirement he worked as a consultant to Rock Hill School District 3 for three years.
Mr. McDonald was always active in the life of the church – Pleasant Grove UMC; Forest City, NC; First UMC, Gastonia, NC; First UMC, Boone, NC; St. Paul’s UMC, Chesterfield, SC; Emma Gray UMC, Woodruff, SC; and Woodland UMC, Rock Hill, SC. He served in many capacities – youth counselor, chairman of Board of Trustees, president of Sunday school class, delegate to Annual Conference, chairman of Administrative Board, church treasurer, chairman of the finance committee and a member of several committees. Since retirement in 1992 he dedicated many volunteer hours to church upkeep, maintenance, and problem solving at Woodland United Methodist Church. He received several awards in recognition of his tireless, dedicated service.
His contributions to the community are evidenced by a number of awards, honors, and achievements. He was a member of the Woodruff Rotary Club, serving as president and vice president. He was named young educator of the year in 1970, Spartanburg School Masters Club – president and president-elect, member of NEA, SCEA serving as delegate to convention for 2 years, member of National Association of Secondary School Principals and the SC Association of Secondary School Principals, serving as a delegate to the convention for 2 years and receiving a certificate of appreciation in 1977 and 1978, active member of Phi Delta Kappa for more than 25 years and awarded a certificate of appreciation in 1987 and 1999. He served on many Visiting Committees for the Southern Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges during his active years as an educator, acting as chairman of several of the committees. In 1981 at the end of his four years as principal of Northwestern High School, he was presented a plaque in recognition of his dedicated service to NHS and Rock Hill School District 3. The NHS Student Council and the Trojan Booster Club presented him with awards of appreciation as well.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years Doris Taylor McDonald, a daughter Karen Elaine McDonald of Kennesaw, GA, two grandchildren Bradley M. Whipple of Atlanta, GA and Caroline G. Whipple of Kennesaw, GA. He is also survived by brothers-in-law Johnny M. Taylor, Jr (Zelia) of Forest City, NC, Tommy Taylor (Janice) of Ellenboro, NC, and a special niece and husband, Jennifer Kaye and Robert Cymbalski of Rutherfordton, NC. He is preceded in death by his daughter Judith Miriam (Mimi) McDonald Kelly, his sisters Sibyl M. Grasfeder and Nancy M. Nichols. Surviving him are 2 nieces, daughters of Sibyl. They are Gigi G. Siekkinen (Jim) of Madras, OR and Ginger G. Kelly (Brian) of Cincinnati, OH. He is also survived by a number of cousins.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Woodland UMC Youth Scholarship Fund, Woodland United Methodist Church, 801 N. Cherry Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732 or the Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House, 2275 India Hook Road, Rock Hill SC 29732.