Hunt Co., TX - Obituaries - Mary Narcissus Byers McDonald
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Early Obit: Mary Narcissus Byers McDonald
"Mrs. J. A. McDonald Dies Early Sunday; Funeral Monday"

Mrs. J. A. McDonald, 95, one of the most beloved women
of the Celeste community and a resident of this section for sixty-three
years, passed away at 12:15 AM Sunday, May 12, 1940, at the home
of her daughter, Mrs. B. M. McCraw, in Celeste, where she
had been residing since the death of her husband on May 6, 1917.
Funeral services were held at 10:00 AM, Monday, May 13, 1940,
from the home of Mrs. McCraw, conducted by Rev. W. B. McDaniel, of
Greenville, and assisted by Rev. Hunt and Rev. Barber. Following the
services here the body was carried to the Pike community in Collin
County for burial.
Grandsons of Mrs. McDonald served as pallbearers.
Mary Narcissus Byers was born on October 31, 1844, in Birmingham,
Alabama. She moved to Arkansas with her family in 1854 and was reared to
a splendid womanhood in that state. She was married to J. A. McDonald
in 1869 in Dewitt, Arkansas and in 1876 the family moved to Texas and
settled
near Pike, in Collin County. One year later they moved to Hunt County and
located west of Celeste, where they were active in the organization of
the Prosperity community, building churches and schools.
She was a charter member of the Prosperity Baptist Church and
continued her membership in that church until her death. She was a
woman of true Christian character and in her quiet unassuming manner
contributed much toward the upbuilding of her community, both in a
religious and a civic way.
"Grandmother" McDonald, as she was familiarly known to hundreds
throughout this section, was one of the "old fashioned grandmothers,"
whose foremost thought was of serving her family, her community, and
her nation and shunned at the idea of the government or any other agency
contributing to her support. She was kind-hearted and throughout the
ninety-five years of her life was never known to have uttered a word of
criticism or unkind remark about anyone. This noble spirit won for her
the love and admiration of everyone in Celeste and surrounding communities
and it was with great sorrow that news of her death was received
throughout this section.
She was devoted to her family and throughout her long life shared each
joy and heartache with her loved ones. She won the love of each child,
grandchild, great-grandchild, and great-great-grandchild, and each always
longed for a visit to Grandmother McDonald's or to have her visit with
them.
She is survived by five children: Mrs. J. F. Roach, Mrs. J. W. Sparks
and Mrs. B. M. McCraw, all of Celeste; Dr. J. F. McDonald of Hillsboro; and

C. A. McDonald of Stephenville. One daughter, Mrs. J. W. Short, preceded
her
in death twenty-six years ago. Also, surviving are twenty-seven
grandchildren
and one great-great-grandchild.
(Thursday, May 16, 1940, The Celeste Courier)