Marilyn Ann McDonald

December 24, 1942 - March 17, 2016

Marilyn Ann McDonald, the wife of 54 years to Ralph McDonald and mother of Perry Glen McDonald and Valerie Ann Long, went to be with the Lord and Savior on Thursday March 17, 2016. Marilyn was born on December 24, 1942 to J.D. and Lavern Clayton in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was the oldest of three children and the sister to James and Cary Clayton. J.D. and Lavern moved back to the home place of Leonard, AR when Marilyn and James were young children and where later Cary and all three graduated from Rector High School. Marilyn was a very active student graduating with honors at RHS, where she met the love of her life Ralph McDonald. After their marriage, Ralph and Marilyn set out on their own to make their mark on life by moving to the ST. Louis, MO area. They eventually settled down in Arnold, MO where the whole family actively served at First Baptist Church of Arnold. Marilyn served in many capacities at FBCA from church organist, hand bell leader, children’s choir leader, Sunday school teacher, cancer support group leader, greeter, and the list goes on. Marilyn, a born again Christian, was saved and baptized in 1952 at the Macedonia Methodist Church in Leonard, AR. She was later baptized with her husband Ralph when they joined First Baptist Church of Arnold on February 2, 1969. Marilyn was always a wife and mother first in her life but she also worked out of the home filling many roles as a kindergarten teacher, custodian, church secretary positions, and finally retiring as a Deputy Clerk at the United States 8th District Court of appeals in St. Louis, MO. Later in her life she also worked and volunteered at Missouri Baptist Hospital. She filled positions in the hospital and Chaplin’s office. Survivors include her husband: Ralph, of the home, son Perry (Brenda) of Mountain Home, Arkansas, daughter Valerie (Ken) Long of Arnold, Missouri, two grandsons Andrew Long of Arnold and Shane McDonald of Mountain Home, Brothers James (Judy) Clayton of Brookland, Arkansas and Cary Clayton of Rector, Arkansas, Sister-in-Law Charlene McDonald of Paragould, Arkansas, several nieces and nephews and friends. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, J.D. and Lavern Clayton, Father and Mother-in-law Clyde and Eloie McDonald, brother-in-law William McDonald, and great-nephew Ross Curtner. Ralph and the kids would like to thank the many family members, friends, co-workers, doctors, nurses, and supporting staff who have been so gracious to help out in so many ways with Marilyn in her time of need. Your help and support has made a lasting impression of God’s love in our lives. Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church of Arnold, Missouri on Saturday March 19, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Funeral Services will follow at 6:00 p.m. at the church. Visitation will be held on Sunday March 20, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the Irby Funeral Home Chapel in Rector. Graveside Services will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Woodland Heights Cemetery in Rector with Rev. Mace Straubel officiating. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Rector Helping Hands.