Berion Lee Mcdonald

MR. BERION LEE McDONALD, 99 of MT. GILEAD, NC passed away peacefully Thursday, June 4, 2020 at his home.

A Graveside Services will be held 11:00 am Saturday, June 13, 2020 at the St. Luke Church of God Cemetery, 542 Parkertown Road, MT. Gilead, NC.

A Public Viewing will be held 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm  Friday. June 12, 2020, at Harris Funeral Home and Cremations of MT. Gilead, NC. (Due to the COVID 19 Pandemic we ask you to please wear a Face Mask / Facial Covering  and use the Hand Sanitizing Station when entering and exiting the Chapel for the Public Viewing).

Harris Funeral Home & Cremations of MT. Gilead, NC, is serving the McDonald and extended families.

Berion Lee McDonald was born on October 20, 1920 in Stanly County, Badin, North Carolina, to Zula Mae and Percy Madison.  But he grew up with his Aunt Mae and Uncle John McDonald and their five children in Mt. Gilead, NC, and took the last name McDonald for school purposes.

Berion has a wonderful childhood.  He always talked about his adventures with his cousins and friends, both black and white and how they were always inventing things to play with and have a good time.

"B", as he was affectionately called was the youngest out of the buncg and was the last to leave home.  But before he did, his aunt gave him advice that he remembered and used all his years.  It was this (boiled down to a nutshell) make sur.e you save for a stormy day because those days Will come.  That advice served him well because in 1945, he met a young lady by the name of Ruby Spivey whom he married in 1947 and raised 6 chiildren; 3 boys and 3 girls together.  One thing abouy Berion is, he took his responsibilities as a father to heart.  He drove a cab, he was a superintendent, he cut lace, during the time lace was a main stay for women's clothes.  And he was so trustworthy that his boss would leave town and the business in his hands including the banking of the business funds.

Never, ever did his children go hungry, or find themselves without a roof over their heads nor clothes on their backs.  And even after they were grown, some with families of their own, he let them know that they were always welcomed  to come back if they found themselves together.

Berion loved his boys (Samuel, Richard and Aaron) with a passion,  Probably because he could see pieces of himself in every one of them.  Each Sunday,it was his mission to take them in his green car, (he always had some color green car) to Mt. Vernon to attend church where he had the responsibility of a Deacon.  He wanted them to know that there is a God and that they should know about Him.  The girls (Merion, Diane and Pamela) got a chance to jump in the car when it was time for the annual family trip to Rye Beach, NY.

He was an outstanding grandfather and great grandfather, loving all his grands equally.

Berion stayed strong and physically healthy until he died Thursday, June 4, 2020.  When he reitred, he came back to his home in Mt. Gilead.  He lived 99 years.

Berion Lee McDonald was preceded in death by his daughters, Pamela and Diane; his son Samuel and a grandson, Kevin.

He leaves to mourn his faithful and loving wife Ruby; his  daughter, Merion Lee Burns; his sons, Richard Nathaniel and Aaron Ray McDonald; his son-in-law, Lawrence; his daughters-in-law, Janis and Artelia McDonald; 11 grandchildren, Tisha, Kimathi, Kofi, Lawrence II, Giovanni Sr., Brenden, Jullian, Tanasha, Tinaruth, Tajh, James, Tene, Richard, Jr;, Quashawn, Alex, Tonya and Temeka; his 18 great-grands, and a host of cousins, family and friends.

Special mention is given to Tene for her tireless effort in taking care of her beloved grandfather and to her son John, who looked after him during his last days.