Dortha McDonald

Dortha Jean Faulk McDonald, soon to be 94, passed from this home to her heavenly home December 29, 2023. Mom was born in Saint Francis, Arkansas January 17,1930 to Pauline and Harry Faulk. She was the oldest of three and the big sister to brothers,William Jewel and Harry Ray. Mom graduated from Piggott High School and soon met our dad at Brown Shoe Company in Piggott,Arkansas. A short courting (but the real deal) they married in Flint, Michigan after mom took a Greyhound bus north to wed dad. Dad had moved to Flint to work for General Motors. My brother Gary was born in August 1951 and shut the party down so to speak. Seventeen months later my sister Linda was born and things began to get real about this time in the McDonald family. To add to the festivities, realness and tight quarters, I arrived sixteen months after Linda.

Mom worked tirelessly in our home and made a wonderful home for all of us through her love and many talents. Wherever we lived, and there was quite a bit of moving between Michigan and Arkansas for several years; mom turned our house into a home. Dad would build furniture and mom would sew our curtains, drapes whatever was needed. She could sew anything, particularly many of our clothes for a lot of years. She dressed my sister and I as twins and Gary matched us often in color, but not style. Mom was an excellent baker, and cooked and canned anything and everything that could be put into a jar.

Moms hands were never idle. She knitted, crocheted, quilted and crafted in every way possible. If she saw it,she could replicate it. Even while driving, her hands were not idle if one of us needed to be reached in the back seat to get settled down. Her "settling down reach" was impressive. Mom was a Cub Scout den mother, Sunday school teacher, church pianist, church secretary, VBS director, neighborhood organizer, J.C. Penney assistant store manager, town organizer, Cleveland High School cafeteria lady, and as of the past two years, "resident adviser/ CEO" so to speak, at Remember Me.

Mom was an altruist and she and dad set an example early on of what was important and helping others. That said, Mom was the definition of forthright and you always knew where you stood with her. Mom had a lengthy life; nearly 94 years old and most importantly, a life of great depth that her family will attempt to replicate. Mom is predeceased by our dear sister Linda (1975) our Dad (2016) her favorite son in law Mike Bass (2021) and her brother Jewel (2023).

Survivors include: Son, Gary (June) McDonald and daughter, Sharon K. Bass. Younger brother Harry Ray Faulk (Betty) several dear nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Cherished and perfect grandchildren, Kirsten McDonald Kapustay, Adam McDonald, Kathryn J. Keel Sanchez (Chris), Joseph M. Keel (Jen). Also, awesome great grandchildren, Anna and Meg Kapustay, Caysen and Tye Keel.

Thank you to the loving, thoughtful care by the staff at Remember Me, North Lee Hwy, Cleveland, Tennessee. This truly was moms final home away from her heavenly home. Moms funeral will be Thursday January 4, 2024 at Companion Funeral Home, on Georgetown Rd. in Cleveland, Tennessee. Our family will be happy to see you at 1:00 until 3:00 if you'd like to honor mom and cheer us up. Moms service begins at 3:00 and burial will follow at Tasso United Methodist Cemetery.

Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers. If you choose to make a donation in moms memory please consider: Life Bridges 764 Old Chattanooga Pike SW Cleveland, TN. 37311. Life Bridges supports individuals with intellectual disabilities.